BANGKOK - THAILAND'S increasingly volatile political crisis remained in the balance yesterday, as some 10,000 pro-government supporters rallied in downtown Bangkok vowing to stay until the rival camp gives up its occupation of the capital's airports.
The red-clad protesters, many wearing red headbands emblazoned with 'Thaksin' or 'No Coup' gathered outside Bangkok's City Hall. The group is also considering a protest at the Constitutional Court tomorrow when judges will hear closing arguments in a case seeking dissolution of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) for electoral fraud.
The rally added to the political turmoil paralysing the kingdom, which has left some 100,000 tourists trapped by the airport sieges.
Early yesterday, two bombs targeting supporters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) exploded at their protest sites at Government House and Don Muang Airport, injuring 51 people, some severely.
An explosion and gunfire was also heard near the offices of the Manager group, owned by PAD co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Meanwhile PAD supporters remained camped at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and armed PAD guards were on the alert for any attempt by police to evict them.
Yesterday evening, some sources said police may try to storm the terminal late at night. Others said the police had neither the manpower nor the training for such an operation. 'They are not going to storm this place; there are generals' wives and (high society) women here,' an independent observer told The Straits Times.
Meanwhile police held talks with PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang, who is seen as more moderate than Mr Sondhi, apparently on security issues following the overnight bombs.
At yesterday evening's red-shirt rally, speakers said they were apprehensive of a 'silent coup' - dissolution of the PPP.
In the case of dissolution, PPP politicians will change to a new party, Puea Thai, and try and form a new government. But the PPP also fears a a new administration could be installed to ram through the 'new politics' the PAD demands.
The right-wing, royalist PAD, backed by Bangkok's middle-class, is pushing for political changes that include a partially-appointed, rather than wholly elected, Parliament.
'We gather here today to protect the democratic system, to say we don't want a coup,' said PPP member and MP Jatuporn Prompan.
Both sides are playing a game of brinkmanship, with the army - ultimately loyal to the Palace - seemingly reluctant to get involved.
Analysts are worried that Thailand is on the brink of violent class warfare. Hawks among the red-shirts say their patience is running out, and if the government cannot get the job done, they will drive the PAD out of the airports.