Carnival Atmosphere in Bangkok, Despite Emergency Decree
紧急状态下曼谷示威者如过狂欢节
The atmosphere in central Bangkok, where thousands of anti-government protesters are gathered is upbeat and festive. Protesters vow to stay until Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigns.
数以千计反政府示威者聚集的曼谷市中心,气氛活跃,像过节一样。示威者坚决表示,总理沙马不辞职,他们就决不离开。
An almost carnival atmosphere permeates the compound of the Thai government's main administration building, where thousands of people have rallied for eight days.
泰国政府主要办公大楼弥漫着狂欢节一样的气氛。数以千计的示威者已经在这里聚集了8天。
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy has set up tents and seats and provides demonstrators food and drink. There is a stage where PAD leaders give speeches.
反对党人民民主联盟在这里为示威者安排了帐篷和椅子,向他们提供食品和饮料,还有一个为人民民主联盟领导人讲话准备的讲台。
An office worker, Miss Pearl, and her friends were at the demonstration. She says the scene is calmer than she had expected after clashes early Tuesday.
公司职员珀尔女士和她的朋友参加了示威活动。她说,在星期二早些时候的冲突以后,这里的场面比她想象的要平静。
"It is different from what we saw on the TV and basically I think it looks more secure than what they presented on the TV," she said. "What we saw on TV is something scary. But when you actually come here - like everyday you do not feel like it is anything scary."
她说:“这跟我们在电视上看到的不一样。总的来说,这里看起来比在电视上看到的要安全。电视上的画面挺吓人。但是来到这儿以后,你不会觉得有什么可怕的。”
Piti Dungpitchit says the atmosphere is upbeat and that protesters are confident they will be able to force out Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
比蒂说,这里的气氛高涨。示威者们相信他们可以迫使总理沙马下台。
"The people here are very confident," said Piti. "We are steadfast in our will to demand the resignation of the government."
他说:“这里的人很有信心。我们要求总理辞职,这一点坚定不移。”
Mr. Samak has been accused of acting for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently fled to Britain to avoid trial on corruption charges. Mr. Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup two years ago, denies wrong doing and accuses the judiciary of bias.
沙马被指责是前总理他信的代理人。他信不久前逃到英国,躲避对他的腐败指控。他信在两年前的军事政变中被赶下台。他否认有过任何非法行为,他指责司法不公正。
After violence broke out early Tuesday, the government imposed a state of emergency, which bans gatherings of more than five people. The anti-government protesters, however, and supporters of the government, ignore the decree and continue their demonstrations.
在星期二早些时候发生暴力冲突后,政府实施紧急状态,禁止5人以上集会。然而,反政府示威者和政府支持者无视政府禁令,继续示威活动。
Labor unions had threatened to disrupt utilities and transportation in much of Bangkok, but did not carry out the threat. PAD protesters have forced the closure of several regional airports and disrupted national train service. Away from the government offices, Bangkok operates normally.
工会威胁将中断曼谷大部分的公共服务和交通,但是并没有采取具体行动。支持人民民主联盟的示威者已经迫使几个地区机场关闭,并扰乱了全国铁路服务。在政府机构以外的地区,曼谷基本运行正常。
There are fears that the calm will not last: the country has in the past seen popular uprisings turn bloody as the government or the military cracked down.
Surapong, who works in the parliament, fears for the future.
"I really do not know [what will happen] because Thai people just have to pray for God to do something for goodness to my country because it has a variety of causes to make this situation," said Surapong.
Thailand's army chief has vowed that troops will not use violence against the protesters. The army's main goal, he says, is to keep pro-government and anti-government forces apart.
泰国军方首脑坚决表示,军队不会使用武力镇压抗议示威的人。他说,军队的主要目标是将亲政府和反政府的人群隔开。
Thailand remains deeply divided between those who support Mr. Thaksin - mainly the poor, and those in the urban middle class who accuse him of corruption and abusing power.
在泰国,主要由穷人组成的支持他信的人和指责他信腐败和滥用权力的城市中产阶级仍然处于针锋相对的对立之中。