A sign indicating the closure of a main touristic road can be seen next to barricades of anti-government protesters near a main stage of the protest in Bangkok February 5, 2014. Thailand's anti-government protests, now in their third month, have taken a heavy toll on tourism in the bustling capital Bangkok, but sparked an upturn in arrivals at beach and mountain resorts, officials say. REUTERS/Nir Elias
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's fiery protest leader denounced the government's battered rice-buying scheme as corrupt and the prime minister leapt to its defence on Wednesday, days after an election did nothing to restore stability in the divided country.
Suthep Thaugsuban and his supporters have been trying to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra since November, prompting the government to announce a state of emergency ahead of Sunday's vote, which was boycotted by the opposition.
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