'Bangkok shutdown' affects 2 million people

Anti-government protesters wave Thai national flags as they gather with others at Victory Monument in central of Bangkok January 13, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - The "Bangkok shutdown" led by anti- government protesters has affected more than 2 million people in the capital, the local media said here on Monday.

The report estimated that 680,000 residents living in and near the rally sites are affected, besides another 440,000 students and 1.2 million people working in the area.

The shutdown has also affected 4.8 million transport trips, the report said.

On the other hand, Airports of Thailand plc has issued special stickers to about 6,000 airport taxis for rights to pass, it said here on Monday, in order to show the anti-government protesters that the vehicles are carrying tourists.

The company has asked the protesters to allow these taxis to travel through roads blocked as part of the "Bangkok shutdown" campaign.

Secretary-general of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee Suthep Thaugsuban led a massive procession of protesters to march in Bangkok starting on Monday, aiming to paralyze the city and force the caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawtra to hand in power.