Tension in Thailand – even after a state of emergency ends.

This after a new round of anti-government rallies over the past few days in which two people were killed…

The Thai government declared a state of emergency Saturday after the protestors surrounded the venue of a major Asean-sponsored summit, where 16 Asian leaders gathered.

The demonstrators, donning red shirts, are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted by a military coup in 2006.

Hello, I’m Charlotte Bellis and you’re watching Newsy.com.

Al Jazeera English presents a view from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, the official name of the red-shirted protest group.

A spokesperson told Al Jazeera English what he wants from Abhisit Vejjajiva the current Prime Minister.

“If he dissolved the parliament and called for election, and then if he is elected again, then he can truly say that he was following the democratic tradition. Unless he does that, our situation for today will remain, and we will fight for democracy.” (Al Jazeera)

The BBC had an interview with Thaksin Shinawatra, asking if he was behind this round of violence…

“Yes… ah no. I just would like to give them moral support. I never instigate them, but I want them to fight to get the true democracy.” (BBC)

Not everyone agrees with the violent protests. Thailand’s The Nation condemns the Red Shirts’ aggressive actions, saying:

“These patterns and threats must be considered as calculated acts of sabotage, carried out with a well-planned and coordinated plan to cause maximum casualties. By adopting these extreme strategies, the red-shirted protesters have turned themselves into urban terrorists.” (The Nation)

Australia’s The Brisbane Times noticed the Thai Army and government have changed their tactics for handling the political riots.

“The army… is showing remarkable restraint in the face of extreme provocation from the supporters of exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra … the [current] Prime Minister… has so far thwarted Thaksin’s apparent strategy to create enough violence to pave the way for his return to the country.” (Brisbane Times)

As the tension continues, The New York Times looks at one key issue Thailand has to deal with – tourism.

“The country’s image as a laid-back holiday destination has suffered under the cumulative effects of three years of political crisis, including the weeklong closure of Bangkok’s airports by royalist protesters last year… the country’s tourism authority is now promoting the country as an 'amazing value.'” (The New York Times)

So what do you think could end the back-and-forth political rivalry in Thailand? Will democracy survive in this Southeast Asian country?