Thai police remove barricades to let protesters into Government House

BANGKOK, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Anti-government protesters entered Government House and Metropolitan Police Bureau compounds in Bangkok Tuesday after Thai officials ordered barricades removed.

After days of confrontations, protesters helped police and soldiers remove cement barricades -- originally put in place to bar protesters from entering the facilities -- in front of both facilities, the Bangkok publication the Nation reported.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban claimed a cautious victory in what he characterized as a long fight against the regime of Thaksin Shinawatra and the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister.

"Today we can enjoy our victory but it is only partial," Suthep said. "Our fight will continue as [Prime Minister] Yingluck Shinawatra, her government and the tyranny of the Thaksin regime are still intact and effective."

Thaksin was Thailand's prime minister from 2001 to 2006 when he was overthrown in a military coup. Since then he has been living in exile. He was convicted in absentia of abusing power to help his wife buy public land at an auction and was sentenced to two years in jail.

Yingluck met informally with Suthep Sunday and then Monday offered to consider stepping down or dissolving Parliament to defuse the situation.

Suthep said he wouldn't accept dissolution of the House or Yingluck's resignation because members of the Thaksin regime could be returned to lead the government, The Nation said.

Instead, he called for the drafting of democratic rules and laws to prevent corrupt politicians from returning to politics.

"After all is in order, I will wash my hands of politics," Suthep said. "I have my personal belongings at Democrat Party headquarters already packed, meaning I will no longer work there."