BANGKOK, 23 March 2003 — Some 500 protesters yesterday rallied outside the American embassy here demanding an unconditional end to the US-led war on Iraq as thousands of Muslims in southern provinces prayed for peace.
The protesters called on Thai Muslims to boycott goods from the United States and allies Britain, Israel, Spain, Australia and Italy.
“We cannot stand for the US to use military aggression against Iraq which is inferior in its economy and technology, and other Muslim countries which could be the next US target,” group members said, reading from a prepared statement.
More than 100 police and anti-riot security personnel were on alert as protest leaders addressed the rally.
The group, claiming to represent Thai Muslims, accused the United States and its allies of “barbaric acts” against Iraq by using overwhelming military might and intimidation while breaching the United Nations charter.
Meanwhile organizers said more than 10,000 Thai Muslims would attend prayers for peace in mosques in Yala, one of the country’s five Muslim majority southern provinces.
