The country has been embroiled in anti-government protests since November of last year, and has faced political unrest for close to a decade, following a military coup that ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. Opponents of Mr. Shinawatra have consistently charged him of corruption and operating the government for his own financial gain. Protesters, who are largely middle class Bangkok residents, fear that the 2011 election of Mr. Shinawatra’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is allowing the former primer minister to hold onto power while in exile outside the country.