Thai government supporters gather to ‘defend democracy’

Supporters of Thailand’s beleaguered government gathered on Saturday on the outskirts of Bangkok saying they were determined to safeguard democracy and avert a coup as anti-government protesters, based at a central park, planned their “final push”. Thailand’s polarised politicians have been unable to forge a compromise over a nearly decade-long split between the royalist establishment and a populist former telecommunications tycoon, whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was ousted as prime minister on Wednesday. Her sacking followed six months of anti-government protests that have...