Protesters surge into Bangkok wanting new election

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BANGKOK, Mar 14 (AP): Leaders of tens of thousands of protesters who swarmed into Bangkok from Thailand's rural areas Sunday threatened mass street demonstrations if the government didn't respond to their demand for a dissolution of Parliament within 24 hours.
The demonstrators, popularly known as the Red Shirts, want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call new elections, which they believe will allow their political allies to regain power. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional Thai ruling class who were jealous and fearful of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's popularity while in office from 2001 until he was ousted in a 2006 coup.
The protesters, who had Saturday given a similar ultimatum which expired Sunday, said they will march on key locations in the city if the government fails to respond by noon Monday (0500 GMT; midnight EST). These are to include the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Regiment, where Abhisit has been living in recent days.
In his weekly radio address Sunday morning, Abhisit indicated he had no plans to dissolve Parliament.
He denied rumors that a military coup was possible and said he would not impose a state of emergency that would give the army broad powers to deal with the protests.