Thai government defies protesters, delivers key policy address

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thailand’s prime minister has delivered a key policy speech, despite a protest by thousands of demonstrators loyal to the country’s former leader.
    Demonstrators continue to ring the Parliament building in Bangkok, so the speech was moved to the Thai Foreign Ministry. Several hundred protesters tried to disrupt things there but the speech went ahead.
    The current prime minister his goal is to bridge the country’s political divide.
    The latest demonstrations are by supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, the exiled former prime minister.
    The last Thai government was forced from office following months of demonstrations by anti-Thaksin groups. At one point, they seized Bangkok’s two main airports for eight days, halting flights and angering tourists.