A GROUP OF PROTESTERS DELIVER ANTI-GOVERMENT PETITIONS IN BANGKOK, 2000-09-07 (photo)

Members of a nationalist pressure group brings to Thai parliament petitions signed by thousands of Thai voters demanding the impeachment of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai and Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmanhaeminda in Bangkok September 7, 2000. The group, called the Coalition of Patriotic Citizens, presented Senate president Sanit Worapunya with 163,126 signatures of disgruntled voters. It said the two cabinet members, influenced by the International Monetary Fund, have colluded in selling out the nation's assets to foreigners. Under the new Thai constitution, a group of 50,000 voters can present their demand to the Senate to conduct an impeachment of a cabinet member. Chuan is required by the constitution to call a general election by mid-November. NWA/JIR