10,000 protest U.S.-Thai free trade agreement talks
Jan 9, 2006, 9:55 GMT
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Bangkok - Thousands of Thais representing a diverse swath of society ranging from garlic growers to HIV/AIDS activists gathered outside a hotel in Thailand's northern city of Chiang Mai Monday to protest closed-door talks on a Thai-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA).
Eye-witnesses said that more than 10,000 demonstrators gathered outside the posh Mae Rim Hotel in Chiang Mai, 560 kilometres north of Bangkok, in an effort to derail ongoing talks scheduled Monday through Friday between U.S. and Thai negotiators on setting up an FTA between the two countries.
The demonstrators included representatives from various non-governmental organizations such as the Alternative Farmers Network, the People Living with HIV/AIDS network, slum dwellers, garlic growers, academics and students.
Political opposition to the U.S.-Thai FTA is growing, fueled by suspicions that the negotiations are being held behind closed doors to cover up the benefits expected to accrue to Thailand's businessman prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his cronies.
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Thaksin Shinawatra and pal