Thai protesters denounce TV interference

BANGKOK, May 6 (UPI) -- Thai protesters are demanding that the government stop blocking broadcast stations sympathetic to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, witnesses say.

Several hundred red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters marched on Government House in Bangkok Wednesday, calling for the government to stop interfering with the satellite based DStation and pro-Thaksin community radio stations, also demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Bangkok Post reported.

As part of the demonstration, the protesters burned a television set, which they said would show only the ASTV channel -- the station controlled by supporters of the rival yellow-shirt backers of Abhisit.

Protest leader Somyos Pruksakasemsuk delivered a letter outlining the demands to Nathee Premrasami, a permanent secretary at the prime minister's office, the newspaper said.