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Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Protesters in Thailand surround government seat By AMBIKA AHUJA,Associated Press Writer AP - Friday, March 27 BANGKOK - More than 20,000 protesters have surrounded the prime minister's office, demanding the government resign and scoffing at its handout of checks to millions of low-income workers as a buy off. ADVERTISEMENT The demonstration began shortly after the government began doling out 2,000 baht ($55) to millions of Thais to stimulate an economy battered by the global financial crisis. The protesters, followers of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, say the government came to power through illegal means. They say that the so-called "help-the-nation" scheme for 9 million low income Thais is merely a way to buy them off. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. BANGKOK (AP) _ Thailand's government began handing out 2,000 baht ($55) checks to millions of low-income workers Thursday to stimulate an economy battered by the global financial crisis. As the first checks were distributed, thousands of demonstrators marched to Government House, the office of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, demanding the resignation of the government and rejecting the scheme as a "buy off." The demonstrators, followers of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, say Abhisit's government came to power through illegal means. Their earlier demonstrations have been peaceful. The so-called "help-the-nation" dole-out scheme targets over 9 million people earning less than 15,000 baht ($424) a month. "What we intend to do is get the economy through this very difficult period," Abhisit said after handing out the first check to a teacher at the launch of the 18 billion baht ($509 million) program. "We need to get money quickly into the system and this is the quickest way." Thousands of eligible recipients lined up for hours in the midday heat to receive the handout, and several fainted. Thailand has been hit with its worst economic downturn since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Southeast Asia's second largest economy grew 2.6 percent in 2008. But it is expected to contract 2.5 percent this year, as the country's crucial export sector has slid four months straight. Stores and shopping complexes were quick to jump in, hoping to attract check recipients with special deals. "The check is valued 20 percent higher if you cash it in at our store," said Chamnan Metapreechakul, senior marketing director for the Mall Group, one of Thailand's largest mall operators. "We expect people to spend it because it's not large enough to save." Chamnan said the stores have created baskets of products worth 2,200 baht ($61) for those who do not want to think too much about how to spend their windfall. At the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food chain, a check can be exchanged for store coupons with 20 pieces of chicken thrown in for free. "I am planning to see what the best deal is and spend it there. It feels good that I am spending to save the country. What an odd concept!" said Narisara Songsawang, a 36-year-old clerk. The program is expected to increase economic growth by 0.2 percentage points, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavenij said Wednesday. The first lot of 5.5 million checks issued Thursday will be followed by 1.2 million in late March and the rest in early April. Some said they planned to save the money for hard times. "You watch the news and people are getting laid off daily. I think I will save it in case my husband is the next one to lose his job," said Ponnapa Sintanee, a 38-year-old mother of three. She earns 12,000 baht ($340) a month as a school teacher. Although the one-time measure was welcomed by many, some criticized it for targeting only about a third of the country's labor force who are registered with the Social Security Fund. Those in the informal sector, including farmers and self-employed people, are not eligible. Abhisit said the government plans to launch other programs for those left out of the current scheme. When he became prime minister in December, Abhisit said his government would retain populist policies _ including cheap credit and health care _ implemented under Thaksin, who has continued to loom over Thai politics even after his ouster by a military coup in 2006 for alleged corruption and abuse of power. The anti-government protesters rejected the scheme, and demanded that Parliament be dissolved and new elections be held. They say the previous pro-Thaksin government was illegally removed by a court action backed by the powerful military. "Abhisit used to say he hates populist policies. So what is he trying to do now? Is he trying to buy us off?" said a protest leader, Nattawut Sai-kua. "It is not going to work. We will protest until this illegitimate government is gone." About 10,000 police and soldiers were deployed for the protest, said Metropolitan Police Commander Lt. Gen. Worapong Chiwpreecha. Participants said they planned to demonstrate at Government House for at least three days. Thailand was destabilized last year by months of protests by both supporters and opponents of Thaksin. He remains popular among the country's rural majority. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Taiwan's Chen claims persecution as trial beginsAP - Friday, March 27 China best-seller lashes "Mafia don" AmericaReuters - Friday, March 27 Australia defense dept probes illegal spying claimAP - Friday, March 27 China court upholds convictions in milk scandalAP - Thursday, March 26 China upholds 2 tainted milk scandal convictionsAP - Thursday, March 26 Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Red meat raises death risk, white meat lowers it Scientists see asteroid hurtle to Earth British PM brushes off Chinese currency calls Papaua New Guinea forests reveal 56 new species Snacking during labour is OK, study finds View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. 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