Protesters blocked from reaching IMF, World Bank meeting venue

Demonstrators faced a police blockade banning them on Friday from marching to the meeting venue of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to air grievances against the two institutions.

The rally, engineered by the Assembly of the Poor and an international movement called La Via Campesina, was stalled at Asok Montri intersection where police set up a barrier to prevent the protesters walking to Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, where the annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank are being held.

Demonstrators gathered at Lumphini Park before moving towards the centre to submit a petition demanding debt moratoriums for poor countries, the end of their financal support for multinational companies and new economic directions that benefit people and ecology, among other conditions.

The Assembly of the Poor put the number of local and international protesters at 1,000 but the Metropolitan Police Bureau estimated about 800.

Friday was the second day of protests following a rally on Thursday which was also stopped at Khlong Toei intersection.

A section of Ratchadaphisek road from Asok Montri to Khlong Toei intersections and MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Center station were closed on Friday for the safety of the attendants of the international meetings.

The rally on Friday was also held to mark International Day of Action for Food Sovereignty, which is obsereved by international non-governmental organisations, and World Food Day of the United Nations.