VOA标准英语 Thai Protesters Disperse Under Military Pressure, Le

Thai protesters are dispersing¹ after the military surrounded their main demonstration² camp and four protest leaders turned themselves in to police.

Music played Tuesday across the main protest site outside government house. But, the mood was anything but festive³ as hundreds of red shirt protesters packed up their things and began leaving.

The protesters had occupied hundreds of tents and a main stage outside the compound, which houses the offices of Prime Minister Abhisit Vijjajiva.

They feel he came to power illegitimately and so they gathered by the thousands in Bangkok to try to force his government to resign. Many protesters leaving the demonstration were overcome with the feeling they had lost the fight for Thailand's democracy.

"Finished now, finished ... finished," cried a protester.
　
Thai anti-government protester leaves Government House through a line of soldiers in Bangkok, Thailand, 14 Apr 2009

As the military closed in, demonstrators were directed through rows of soldiers and riot police where their belongings⁴ were searched and their identities checked.

The protests started peacefully, but in the past few days became violent. In two days of street fighting, authorities say two people were killed and more than 120 injured.

Protesters armed with batons⁵ and firebombs burned buses and sent them rolling towards security forces.

Pineter Vuabatanakul, the director general of bus services for Bangkok's mass transit⁶ authority, was at the demonstration site to assess which damaged buses could still be repaired. He says 52 buses were seized by protesters and 20 of them were set on fire.
　
A bus burns in Bangkok which was set on fire during anti-government protests, 13 Apr 2009

"Several times in the past when we have a conflict in our society, the bus will be used like a weapon," he said.

Thailand has suffered political uncertainty⁷ and protests since the military in 2006 ousted⁸ former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was supported by the red-shirt protesters, who saw his policies as favoring the country's poor.

The Thai government says almost all the roadblocks and burning tires erected⁹ by protesters have been cleared and the city is returning to normal.

The damage to Thailand's image, however, will take more time to repair. The instability has cost Thailand dearly in lost tourism dollars. Several countries have warned travelers to stay away from the popular holiday destination.

1 dispersing   

adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• Whereas gasoline fumes linger close to the ground before dispersing. 而汽油烟气却靠近地面迟迟不散。
• Earthworms may be instrumental in dispersing fungi or bacteria. 蚯蚓可能是散布真菌及细菌的工具。

2 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

3 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。

4 belongings   

n.私人物品，私人财物

参考例句：

• I put a few personal belongings in a bag.我把几件私人物品装进包中。
• Your personal belongings are not dutiable.个人物品不用纳税。

5 batons   

n.（警察武器）警棍( baton的名词复数 )；（乐队指挥用的）指挥棒；接力棒

参考例句：

• There were many riot policemen with batons. 有许多带警棍的防暴警察。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Chinese police fight? Number one is a person with batons to fight! 满街飘的中国国旗，是一个老华侨在事发时那出来分给大家的，很感动，真的，从来一向多一事不如少一事的中国人今天团结到一起站出来反抗。 来自互联网

6 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

7 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

8 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

9 ERECTED   

adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立

参考例句：

• A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
• A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。