Anti-government protests spread beyond Thailand\'s Bangkok

Tens of thousands of anti- government protesters rallied on Monday in several provinces across Thailand, in response to a call for a final showdown to uproot "Thaksin's regime." In Chumpohon, about 7,000 protesters gathered near the provincial hall where they performed dance shows to mock the government led by Yingluck Shinawatra. In Surat Thani, more than 3, 000 whistle-blowing demonstrators were joined by about 100 civil servants in their rally in front of the provincial hall. At least 10,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Trang to celebrate the dissolution of the House of Representatives before settling at the provincial hall. Provinces under the influence of anti-government activities also include Yala in the south, Phitsanulok, Phayao in the north, Chon Buri in the east and Nakon Ratchasima in the northeast. The protesters were mobilized to engage in a final showdown against the government so as to sweep former leader Thaksin Shinawatra's influence in the country. They demanded Yingluck, who now acts as caretaker prime minister, to step down and hand over power to the people in the form of a "people's council."