Protesters intensify campaign to oust Thailand's govt

[BANGKOK] Thousands of protesters surrounded Thailand's Interior Ministry and forced the evacuation of four others yesterday, intensifying their campaign to bring down the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The demonstrators defied a tough security law imposed late on Monday, after they stormed two other ministries, to control rallies against Ms Yingluck and her fugitive billionaire brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Ms Yingluck and her ruling Puea Thai Party began a two-day confidence debate in parliament where they hold a commanding majority. The opposition has accused them of corruption and trying to pass laws to whitewash Thaksin of a graft conviction.