Tibet protest at Chinese embassy seeks Beijing Olympics boycott

BANGKOK, March 19 (TNA) - About a dozen demonstrators staged a protest at the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, calling for the Thai government to condemn China's Tibet crackdown and boycott this year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

A force of about 30 Thai police officers reinforced security at the Chinese embassy and erected barricades in response to the protest by the Free Tibet Network and the Federation of Students for Democracy led by Giles Ungphakorn, a social activist.

The demonstrators called for the Chinese government to cease its alleged violations of human rights and to refrain from using violence on the Tibetan demonstrators.

They asked the Thai government to issue a statement condemning the Chinese government and to boycott the Beijing Olympics in August by not sending Thai athletes to compete in the games.

Worldwide protests over China's crackdown in Tibet are spreading, putting pressure on Beijing's Communist leaders just months ahead of their showpiece Olympic Games in August.

China has denied any wrongdoing and has blamed Tibetans for the unrest. The protests began on 10 March, on the anniversary of a Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule, and gradually escalated.

Tibetan exiles say at least 99 protesters have died in clashes - in Lhasa and beyond - with authorities. China says 13 people were killed by rioters in Lhasa. (TNA)-E004

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