[Onthebarricades] Pro-democracy protests: Malaysia - Thailand, Apr-Aug 2008

[Andy]

ON THE BARRICADES:  Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008
https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/onthebarricades
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/

MALAYSIA
*  Four arrests at parliamentary conference protest against detention
*  2000 gather to protest Internal Security Act
*  Parliament locked down in fear over Anwar protest
*  Protesters defy government ban, call for reformation
*  Hindraf targets Chinese temple
*  Rally for release of Hindraf leaders
*  "Bungled" rally at MIC HQ against party leader

THAILAND
*  Opposition protesters besiege government complex
*  Wave of anti-regime protests "raise political heat"
*  Protesters call for Thaksin extradition at British embassy
*  Protests target ministers, university, TV station, airport
*  Protester injured in accident at corruption protest
*  Minister cancels press conference to avoid protesters
*  Heightened "security", clashes as protests continue
*  Protesters besiege PM's office
*  Protests outside electoral commission
*  Protest targets disputed temple

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/8/nation/22032761&sec=nation

Friday August 8, 2008
Four detained over protest at conference

KUALA LUMPUR: Four people, including a Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) 
leader, were arrested after they staged a gathering outside the Kuala Lumpur 
Convention Centre.
The four, including a woman, led about 100 Hindraf supporters to protest in 
front of the convention centre where the Commonwealth Parliamentarian 
Conference is being held.
The group demanded the release of five Hindraf leaders who are currently 
being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
On Dec 13 last year, the five Hindaf leaders – M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, 
V. Ganabatirau, K. Vasantha Kumar and R. Kenghadaran – were detained under 
the ISA.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkaranain Abdul Rahman said the four who were 
carrying placards were picked up after refusing to disperse at 3.40pm 
yesterday.
“They congregated at the front entrance leading into the convention centre 
for about an hour,” he said. “Despite several warnings issued to them, they 
refused to break up the illegal gathering.”
The four were later released at 6.30pm.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/29/nation/21693416&sec=nation

Sunday June 29, 2008
2,000 gather at stadium rally to protest against ISA

SHAH ALAM: About 2,000 people gathered at the Malawati Indoor Stadium here 
last night to protest against the Internal Security Act (ISA).
A multi-racial crowd comprising men, women, youth, senior citizens and even 
children attended the gathering, organised by Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA.
Showing their support: Hindraf and anti-ISA supporters attending the 
gathering at the Malawati Indoor Stadium in Shah Alam last night.
The speakers included former ISA detainees Saari Sungib and Lee Ban Chen, 
Mohamad Sabu from PAS, Sivarasa Rasiah from PKR, Dr Tan Seng Giaw from DAP, 
Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim from Parti Sosialis Malaysia and R. Thanenthiran from 
the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
In his speech, Saari, who is the Hulu Klang assemblyman, said the ISA 
functioned as an instrument of fear and torture.
Lee narrated how he was detained under the ISA in his capacity as a labour 
activist in 1967. He was only released in 1974.
Most of the speakers spoke about how Makkal Sakthi (People Power) had played 
an instrumental role in the capture of five states during the recent general 
election.
The crowd eagerly waited for Mohamad Sabu, who was the last speaker, to take 
the stand and they were not disappointed as the PAS leader gave a fiery 
speech, which received thunderous applause.
In condemning the ISA, Mohamad Sabu said that it was time for the draconian 
law to be abolished.

http://www.irrawaddy.org/today.php?art_id=214

Malaysia Locks down Parliament, Fearing Protest

By JULIA ZAPPEI / AP WRITER / KUALA LUMPURMonday, July 14, 2008

Malaysian police locked down Parliament on Monday with roadblocks and 
massive security to prevent an anticipated rally by supporters of opposition 
leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is awaiting interrogation on a sodomy accusation.

Anwar's questioning later Monday was to coincide with an opposition demand 
for an emergency debate in Parliament on what it says is the public's lack 
of confidence in the government.

The police action against the opposition is likely to increase political 
tensions, already high amid Anwar's threat to bring down the government by 
mid-September even as he fights the sodomy allegation.

The debate is not the same as a no-confidence vote, but the speaker was 
still not expected to allow it. In the past, almost every opposition motion 
has been rejected on grounds of being non-urgent or not in the public 
interest.

Anwar, who is not a member of Parliament, was supposed to witness the 
session from the visitors' gallery before going to a police station for 
questioning. His party said it was not planning to stage a protest.

But police obtained a court order barring Anwar as well as the public from 
coming within five kilometers (three miles) of Parliament. Copies of the 
court order were pasted in public places. Members of Parliament were also 
told not to bring guests to witness the session.

The roadblocks, which also prevented journalists from entering with their 
vehicles, caused massive traffic jams in many parts of the city.

District police Chief Ahmad Sofian Mohamad Yassin said the measures were 
necessary because Anwar's supporters had not sought a police permit for a 
rally, as required by law.

"We have such laws that any public gathering must first have a police 
permit... . so we are going to disallow any gathering," he said, adding only 
"those who have business" in Parliament would be allowed to enter.

Anwar criticized the court order barring him and his supporters from 
Parliament as an "abuse of the legal process."

Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's People's Justice Party, said the 
party had merely wanted supporters to come to Parliament for the debate.

"There is no protest planned. We want people to go into Parliament to listen 
to the debate," he said. "I think it (the police lock down) is deliberately 
to create a situation to cause confusion."

Anwar, who has become a thorn in the side of the government, suffered a 
setback when he was accused last month by a volunteer worker in his office 
of sodomizing him.

Anwar has dismissed the allegation as a political conspiracy to thwart his 
political ascendancy.

The People's Justice Party and two other opposition parties together won an 
unprecedented 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament in March 8 elections. 
Anwar claims he can get more than 30 ruling party lawmakers to defect to 
form a new government.

Anwar did not contest the elections because a previous corruption conviction 
barred him from politics for five years. The ban expired in April.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2008/07/15/2003417513

Opposition protests security clampdown in Kuala Lumpur
‘WAR ZONE’: At least 400 police closed down roads leading to parliament as 
the opposition attempted to hold a debate on the prime minister’s failings

AFP, KUALA LUMPUR
Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008, Page 5
The Malaysian opposition accused the government yesterday of turning 
parliament into a “war zone” as armed police sealed off the building amid 
fears of a protest.
Roads leading to parliament, which are important entry points to the capital 
Kuala Lumpur, were closed down by at least 400 heavily armed police, causing 
massive traffic jams that left motorists fuming over the move.

The security measures were put in place as the opposition attempted to hold 
a parliamentary debate on the shortcomings of beleaguered Prime Minister 
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is fending off calls to resign.

As expected, the parliamentary speaker rejected the motion, triggering a 
walkout of lawmakers from the three-party opposition alliance led by Anwar 
Ibrahim.

“Today is a day we have never seen before in the history of the country, 
where parliament has become a war zone,” said Anwar’s wife, Wan Azizah Wan 
Ismail, who leads their Keadilan party.

Anwar was banned from coming to parliament by a court order. Instead he was 
called for an interview with police over new accusations of sodomy — the 
same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago.

The opposition denied it was planning a protest and there were no signs of 
gatherings at parliament. Lim Guan Eng from the Democratic Action Party 
condemned the decision to roll out police and barbed-wire barricades.

“Why do we put parliament under siege, turning parliament into a police 
state? It is unnecessary and the government is trying to instill fear using 
the police,” he told reporters.

“Parliament should be open to the public to participate so they can listen 
to the debates and see how participatory democracy works. What we want to 
see is democracy in action, not police in action,” he said.

Malaysian Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar defended the police measures, which 
included officers armed with assault rifles patrolling inside the parliament 
building, saying they had to take “preventive action,”

“I apologize to the public for the traffic jams, but the police have to do 
their job to ensure a smooth access to parliament. With all sorts of threats 
and intimidation that come out, we cannot wait for things to happen,” he 
said.

Nazri Aziz, the minister in charge of parliament, criticized the opposition’s 
attempt to stage a debate that would have addressed criticisms of Abdullah 
and accusations that he has lost the country’s confidence.

“I think the no-confidence motion is a waste of time. It is eating into the 
house’s time to debate this motion which has no voting element and so it 
cannot resolve anything,” he said.

In the March polls, the opposition alliance won a record number of 82 seats 
in the 222-seat lower house of parliament.

Anwar has rattled Abdullah’s ruling coalition by saying he is poised to oust 
the government with the help of defecting lawmakers.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-07-06-voa20.cfm?rss=asia

Malaysian Protesters Defy Government Ban
By Chad Bouchard
Jakarta
06 July 2008

Thousands of Malaysians gathered at a stadium to protest inflation and a 
recent fuel hike, despite a government ban on the rally.  Chad Bouchard 
reports from Jakarta that political tension has been increasing during the 
past week in Malaysia.

Protester wears headgear with a slogan reading, 'Protest until Down,' during 
a day-long anti-fuel hike rally at a stadium in Kelana Jaya, outside Kuala 
Lumpur, Sunday, 06 July 2008
The protesters filed into a stadium in a suburb of Kuala Lumpur to call for 
an end to last month's 40-percent increase in gas prices.

The protesters chanted "reformation", echoing a rising call for change 
within the government following dismal election results for the country's 
ruling party in March.

The rally was initially banned by the federal government, which said the 
organizers lacked the necessary permits.

The country's opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, was expected to address the 
protesters, about one week after he took refuge in the Turkish Embassy amid 
allegations he sodomized an aide.

The chairman of a party supporting the government, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahman, 
accused Anwar of manipulating the public.

He says Anwar should stop holding mass rallies for personal reasons, such as 
denouncing the police report that was lodged against him for committing 
sodomy.

The country's inspector general announced plans to bring in the military to 
stop protests Sunday if necessary.

Human-rights lawyer S. Sivanesan condemned the threat to deploy military 
personnel.

"This is the first time we have seen things come to this level when the 
police have also threatened to bring in the army and such things.  This is 
unprecedented," Sivanesan said. "An army cannot get involved in controlling 
crowds in a civilian situation.  The army has no business coming in, and 
this is only to threaten and intimidate the public."

The rally remained peaceful through late afternoon, and only a few police 
patrolled the area in cars.

http://pakatanrakyat-malaysia.blogspot.com/2008/06/protest-on-fuel-price-increase-by-dap.html

Friday, June 6, 2008
Protest on Fuel Price Increase by DAP
June 5, 2008 - Malaysiakini

Some 50 people gathered in Jalan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur, this morning to 
protest the sharp hike in fuel prices which came into effect at the stroke 
of midnight.

The peaceful protest attracted a huge crowd of onlookers who cheered from 
the sidelines and many gave the thumbs up in approval.

Armed with a large banner condemning the price hike, the protesters marched 
200 metres under the watchful eyes of some 20 police personnel, including 
members of the Light Strike Force.

The protesters, who were led by DAP parliamentarians, dispersed about an 
hour later at 12.10pm.

http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/National/2330560/Article/index_html

Eight held over Hindraf protest at Chinese temple

Police intervening in the dispute between Hindraf supporters and Hindus 
carrying out special prayers at a Chinese temple in Butterworth yesterday.

BUTTERWORTH: A shouting match arose when supporters of the Hindu Rights 
Action Force (Hindraf) confronted a group of Hindus praying at a Chinese 
temple in Seberang Jaya yesterday.

Police detained eight Hindraf supporters, including two women.

The group of about 50 supporters had gathered outside the Kuan Yin temple in 
Jalan Todak here to protest the event organised by Hin-du Sevai Sangam.

Trouble started when the group, led by Hindraf Penang coordinator M.N. 
Anbalagan, gate crashed a press conference in the temple about 4pm.

The press conference was being held by former Hindraf secretary V.K. Regu, 
who is now with Sewai Sangam, to explain the purpose of the prayers at the 
temple.
Anbalagan had scolded Regu for holding a Hindu event at a Chinese temple and 
questioned Regu's authority to do so.

A shouting match took place between the two and worsened when a Parti 
Keadilan Rakyat leader, K. Kalaivanar from Sungai Petani, advised the crowd 
not to fight.

Police stepped in to calm things and the event, led by Swami Bramanandha 
Saraswathi from Ku-lim, continued. However, the quarrel did not end there.

Anbalagan and Hindraf supporters protested outside the Chinese temple for 
another half an hour, causing a jam in Jalan Todak.

They demanded that Regu and organisers of the event vacate the Chinese 
temple immediately.

Some supporters lodged a police report at the Seberang Jaya station against 
the organisers of the event. Police appealed to the groupto disperse but 
later light strike force personnel detained eight people.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had earlier stopped at the 
temple for a visit.

Superintendent Hamzah Ismail, the supervisor for the election zone, said 
police picked up the eight to defuse the situation and would release them 
after recording their details.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indians_Abroad/2_Indian_origin_MPs_held_for_protests/rssarticleshow/3130821.cms

2 Indian origin MPs held for protests
15 Jun 2008, 1309 hrs IST,IANS

KUALA LUMPUR: Two Indian origin lawmakers were among three opposition 
members of the Malaysian parliament who were arrested for joining a rally to 
seek the release of detained activists of a Hindu body.

Indian origin lawmakers S. Manikavasagam and R. Sivararsa, and their Malay 
colleague, Zuraida Kamaruddin, had joined a rally to seek freedom for five 
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) activists, and 65 others detained under 
the stringent Internal Security Act (ISA).

The lawmakers, from the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), were among 
six detained by the police on Saturday. They were released on bail later. 
The PKR party has emerged at the head of an opposition alliance with an 
unprecedented 82 members in parliament and rules in four of the country's 13 
states.

The protest, held in front of the Istan Negara, the palace of the royal head 
of the state, is the first such involving elected representatives.

Holding of rallies requires police permission in Malaysia.

Around 70 rallyists, including children, had gathered in front of the Istana 
Negara, demanding the release of the 70 men currently detained under ISA at 
the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping.

"Each child was carrying a basket with flowers and a teddy bear and lined 
with yellow cloth. They left the baskets in front of the palace gate," The 
Star newspaper said on Sunday, quoting Police Assistant Commissioner Wan 
Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Khalid.

The children were accompanied by their mothers as well as other family 
members.

The official said that all except the six left after they were asked to.

The rally was organised by the Hindraf and joined by members of the Gerakan 
Mansuhkan ISA, a human rights body.

According to Hindraf national event coordinator Kannan Ramasamy, they 
gathered to appeal to the King Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin to advise Prime 
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to release 
all the ISA detainees.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/11/nation/20080511160913&sec=nation

Sunday May 11, 2008 MYT 5:56:36 PM
Supporters rally for release of Hindraf leaders (updated)
By NELSON BENJAMIN

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters gathered 
peacefully in various places on Sunday to seek the release of five of its 
leaders detained under the Internal Security Act. Hindraf co-ordinator R. 
Kannan said the gathering at KLCC here was aimed at relaying a message to 
the Government that detainees had their rights to proper medical treatment.
He said Hindraf leader P. Uthayakumar's health is deteriorating due to 
diabetes that is affecting his heart condition.
He said Uthayakumar needs medical attention from IJN (National Heart 
Institute).
Also present was Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-chairman and Subang MP S. 
Sivarasa.
Several truck-loads of Federal Reserve Unit personnel and policemen were 
stationed there and no arrest was made as the Hindraf supporters dispersed 
peacefully half an hour after being told to do so by the police.
In Johor Baru, Hindraf supporters carried a banner and placards along Jalan 
Ungku Puan, demanding the abolition of the ISA and also for the five Hindraf 
leaders detained under the ISA to be released and for Uthayakumar be given 
proper medical attention.
The 11am gathering caused a massive traffic jam around the city centre but 
the supporters dispersed within 40 minutes.
In Ipoh, Hindraf supporters gathered at the Courts Mammoth outlet for five 
minutes to call for the abolition of the ISA, the release of ISA detainees 
and for proper medical treatment for Uthayakumar. The 11am gathering 
dispersed peacefully after a warning from the police.

http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2274875/Article/index_html

2008/06/23
A big no-show at 'MIC protest'

Police officers standing outside the MIC headquarters in anticipation of a 
rally.

KUALA LUMPUR: The police and members of the media made up the crowd of a 
bungled rally in front of the MIC headquarters on Saturday.

Some 30 traffic, riot and plain-clothes policemen had cordoned off the road 
in front of the headquarters by 8am as a mass rally was rumoured to take 
place there.

The police and media were informed about the protest rally, said to be 
organised by Makkal Shakti on Friday via fax and text messages.

It was said that some 10,000 people would gather to protest against the 
leadership of party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

As reporters and cameramen arrived, curious on-lookers slowed their vehicles 
while few members of the public gathered by the road side.
Fifteen supporters turned up at 9am and left shortly after that when they 
realised the absence of protesters.

One of them, Apparao Ramadu, 50, from Kajang said he had learnt about the 
rally through a friend, who is a MIC member.

Apparao said many of his friends came from Klang but was disappointed to see 
a no-show.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/20/thailand1?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

Thailand: Protesters lay siege to government complex
· Pledge to remain until prime minister quits
· Scuffles with police lead to fears of new coup
Ian MacKinnon in Bangkok
guardian.co.uk,
Friday June 20 2008 16:50 BST
Article history
Political tensions in Thailand grew today when thousands of protesters, 
demanding that the five-month-old government quit, pushed through police 
lines to lay siege to Government House.
The demonstrators, who have rallied for 26 straight days in the capital, 
Bangkok, scuffled with riot police who eventually broke ranks, allowing the 
protesters through to the country's seat of power.
Last night the leaders of the collection of anti-government groups vowed to 
remain until the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej — who they regard as a 
proxy for the deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra — steps down.
Chanting "Get out, get out", the protesters waved flags and swarmed around 
the wrought-iron railings as riot police looked on casually.
The political drama, which led to falls on the stock market and in the Thai 
currency, the baht, is also provoking fears of another coup, only months 
after a general election to restore democracy.
Analysts fear that if the protests degenerate into violence Thailand's 
royalist-military elite will use it as an excuse to send troops on to the 
streets to restore order and unseat the government once again.
But despite tough talk from police chiefs heading the 8,000-strong force 
that had been brought into Bangkok from all over the country, there were 
only scuffles and a few minor injuries as the police gave way.
The protesters, headed by the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose months 
of demonstrations in 2006 eventually led to the coup that ejected Thaksin, 
converged on the government complex from eight directions. The 1920s 
buildings house the offices of Samak and his ministers, but today all were 
elsewhere.
Samak had met King Bhumibol Adulyadej yesterday in an effort to defuse the 
tensions, with the monarch urging the prime minister to stand by his pledge 
to do good for the nation.
"I expect that you will do what you have promised and when you can do that, 
you will be satisfied," the king told Samak. "With that satisfaction, the 
country will survive. I ask you to do good in everything, both in government 
work and other work."
Government offices and schools near the ministerial complex were closed for 
the day today to avoid the risk of civil servants and pupils being caught up 
in violence.
But for many of the protesters, who numbered about 25,000 rather than the 
100,000 the organisers had predicted, the atmosphere was more carnival than 
confrontation.
Bangkok academics, business people and unionised workers, united in their 
hatred of Thaksin, roamed the avenues of Bangkok's old quarter waving Thai 
flags or yellow banners to symbolise their devotion to the king.
When confronted by the police lines most of the groups sat down in the road 
in the shade of trees, waving and cheering, their mood in contrast with that 
of other protesters who had armed themselves with baseball bats and shields.
Police came prepared for a confrontation, with teargas and water cannon, and 
parked prison trucks across the main °©thoroughfares as barricades.
One group several thousand strong burst through a five-deep line of officers 
amid some jostling and lined the railings around the Government House 
complex. But their leaders said they did not intend to storm the compound, 
but merely to remain until Samak quit.
Samak's People Power party, which inherited the mantle of Thaksin's Thai Rak 
Thai party, won the election in December that ended the rule of the 
military-appointed government and demonstrated the electorate's 
disillusionment with the 18 months under the military.
Backstory
The protesters, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, are determined 
to bring down the government, saying the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, 
73, is doing deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's bidding. Samak is 
accused of attempting to tinker with the constitution to consolidate his 
grip on power. Opponents say the governing People's Power party is 
interfering with corruption charges against Thaksin, who returned from exile 
to face justice. Thaksin has vowed to keep out of politics and concentrate 
on business interests, including Manchester City football club.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_world.php?id=336093

May 29, 2008 19:11 PM

Thailand's Political Heat Rises With Street Protests
By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, May 29 (Bernama) -- A mostly cloudy atmosphere in the past few days 
and occasional rain is a welcome relief for Bangkokians after the scorching 
heat throughout April and May.

But not so with the political temperature, which has been rising steadily in 
the past one week with the latest street demonstrations by the People's 
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) likely to reach boiling point as feared by 
many.

In 2006, the PAD, comprising many individuals and non-governmental 
organisations, held massive protests in the capital that set the stage for 
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ouster in a bloodless coup by the 
military on Sept 19 that year.

A military-picked government ran the country until February 2008 when 
Thaksin's supporters under the People's Power Party (PPP) regained power 
after winning the December 2007 election.

And since May 25, hundreds of protestors have been camping in front of the 
United Nations' Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific 
(Escap) headquarters, holding night rallies that attract thousands of 
listeners barely 100 metres from the Prime Minister's Office and the Army 
headquarters.

Their aim is to oppose the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's 
attempt to amend the 2007 Constitution.

The political uncertainty was made worse by the controversy over a speech 
made by Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair at the Foreign 
Correspondents Club of Thailand last August when he was leading an anti-coup 
group.

With tremendous pressure for him to resign, Jakrapob said on Monday that he 
was not anti-monarch as alleged by his opponents and announced that he was 
taking a week's leave to defuse the situation.

With PAD on the street again and fear of another clash between its 
supporters and opposing groups as happened last Sunday, rumours of another 
coup has become intense as the military is expected to interfere if things 
get out of control.

In fact, First Army chief Lt. Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who commands forces in 
the capital, was ordered to return home from his European tour by Army chief 
Gen. Anupong Paojinda, one of the key players in the 2006 coup.

While in 2006 the strong anti-Thaksin sentiments, following various 
allegations of power abuse and corruption, and the sale of his family-owned 
Shinawatra Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings fueled the protest, the fear 
of Thaksin nominees amending the constitution for their own benefit led to 
the fresh outcry.

Former soldier Rungson Sinsirisup, 51, said the current government had no 
real power as they were nominees of Thaksin, who has been banned from 
politics for five years after his Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved by the 
court in 2007.

"If not for the coup, Thaksin would have taken all for himself. This protest 
is allowed by the law and we are not breaking any law...it's the opposite 
side which is creating all the violence," said Rungson, who attends the 
rally every night, just like what he did two years ago.

For Sureeporn Luechuntvek, seeing Thaksin and his nominees running the 
country is something she cannot accept.

"I don't like his (Thaksin) system. My son-in-law was killed during the 
campaign against drugs without any proof. He was warned that his name was 
blacklisted... he went to become a monk but when he left the monastery for 
three days, he was killed," she said.

The former government official said she took optional retirement to look 
after her daughter and a four-year-old grand child.

When PAD announced they were holding the protest, Sureeporn said she came 
with about 200 villagers from Buri Ram in the northeast on Sunday.

"We went back after that but I decided to return and stay here until the 
rally is over. I even borrowed 2,000 baht to come here," said Sureeporn, as 
she ate lunch provided by PAD volunteers, and sleeps in the tent on the road 
pavement.

Similar to the 2006 protest when volunteers became the backbone of the 
movement, members of the controversial Santi Asoke sect, founded by former 
Bangkok governor Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, continued to play a key role.

In 1992, Chamlong led a people' uprising against Army chief Suchinda 
Kraprayoon who overthrew the government of Chatichai Choonhavan. The protest 
ended in a bloodshed when troops opened fire at protesters.

More than 100 members of the Santi Asoke sect are cooking food for the 
hundreds of people from outside Bangkok who gather here for the protests.

A former teacher, Ploogkharn Rakponkasok who joined the sect 18 years ago, 
said they were cooking about 400kg of rice daily, with a budget of 30,000 
baht to buy all the cooking essentials.

"Many people are donating to our cause. We have four chief cooks and 10 
assistants, as well as about 100 others who are cutting the vegetables and 
doing other chores," she said.

Ploogkharn said they would start cooking from 8am to 7pm to cater for about 
10,000 people daily who come throughout the day to eat and listen to fiery 
speeches by anti-government speakers, including media tycoon Sondhi 
Limthongkul, once a close ally of Thaksin before he started the anti-Thaksin 
movement at the end of 2005.

"The sect members come from all over the country and are prepared to stay 
here until the protest is over.

"We were here two years ago. We want the constitutional amendment to be 
stopped and for the whole Cabinet to resign," said Ploogkharn, who hails 
from Nakhorn Pathom and oversees the food preparation.

But not all Thais, especially hawkers and ordinary workers, are happy with 
the development.

"We hardly have any customers now as the entire road leading to our 
restaurant is closed. It's already bad for us as people are eating less 
outside now due to the rising cost of living," said a restaurant worker near 
the protest site.

Pornthip, an office staff nearby, said many people were worried that the 
protest would lead to another coup.

"We are already worried with the high fuel and food prices. If another coup 
happens, I am sure the economy will be badly affected," he said.

Not far from there, hundreds of buses were parked in front of the Transport 
Ministry as owners demanded a fare hike to cover the rising oil price which 
could reach Bt40 soon.

Despite the government's approval for the hike of Bt1.50, consumer groups 
successfully asked the Central Administrative Court to suspend the increase.

A survey carried by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University in the capital showed 
that about 32.5 percent of the 1,500 respondents were worried that the 
protest could lead to clashes and 28.3 percent believed the economy would 
slow down.

As the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) saw its biggest drop in four months 
yesterday, Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said the ongoing political 
uncertainty was affecting the economy.

-- BERNAMA

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/8/11/worldupdates/2008-08-11T122823Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-349411-1&sec=Worldupdates

Monday August 11, 2008
Street protests to last until Thai govt ousted - PAD
BANGKOK (Reuters) - A two-month street protest against Thailand's 
government, deemed a proxy of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, will continue 
until it is ousted, even though Thaksin has gone into exile, a protest 
spokesman said on Monday.
"We will continue our rally until the puppet government is booted out," 
Parnthep Pourpongpan of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) told 
Reuters.
"Thaksin's exile is another victory for us, but our ultimate goal is to 
finish off the Thaksin regime by kicking out his puppet government," said 
Parnthep, whose coalition is made up mainly of pro-military, royalist and 
urban middle-class elements.
Thaksin skipped bail on Monday to London, alleging that the political 
enemies who removed him in a 2006 coup were interfering in the courts to 
"finish off" him and his family.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081541

PAD declares victory, in defiant of anti-riot measures

Immediately after the prime minister's televised speech calling for the 
crowds to disperse, People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi 
Limthongkul showed up on the steps of Thai Khu Fah Building at Government 
House to declare the victory.

Sondhi vowed to continue the protests until Samak resigned.

He said protesters would not evacuate Government House, the two NBT stations 
and other installations, shrugging off the government threat to invoke 
anti-riot measures.

http://itn.co.uk/news/83fe215f8935befce7e48a5efa4bbd2c.html

Protesters demand Thaksin extradition
Updated 11.48 Tue Aug 19 2008
Keywords: British Embassy in Bangkok, Thaksin extradition, protesters
Protesters have gathered outside the British Embassy in Bangok demanding the 
extradition of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Thai authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Mr Thaksin over 
corruption allegations.
About 7,000 protesters from the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy 
(PAD) movement rallied peacefully in front of the embassy, carrying posters 
and shouting "Thaksin go to jail"
About 7,000 protesters from the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy 
(PAD) movement rallied peacefully in front of the embassy, carrying posters 
and shouting: "Thaksin go to jail".
In a letter to ambassador Quinton Mark Quayle, the PAD called for the 
British Government to turn down any request for asylum from Mr Thaksin.
Thailand has not yet requested extradition of Mr Thaksin, who owns several 
homes in England.
Mr Thaksin still carries a Thai diplomatic passport. He has so far not been 
granted asylum or special treatment in Britain.
A Home Office spokeswoman said: "It is our long-standing policy to neither 
confirm nor deny whether an extradition request has been received for a 
particular individual.
"Every case is considered on its merits, in line with our international 
commitments and the terms of UK extradition legislation."
The Foreign Office confirmed that a peaceful protest was held outside the 
Bangkok mission, but added the Embassy was carrying on "business as usual".
The protesters were led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a key figure in the PAD which 
orchestrated mass street protests leading to Mr Thaksin's ousting from 
office in the bloodless coup.
Last week the Supreme Court ruled that a corruption trial against Mr Thaksin 
and his wife, Pojaman, could proceed even though the couple fled the 
country.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/10/politics/politics_30077744.php

Protests greet Chalerm in Northeast
By The Nation
Published on July 10, 2008
Protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were on hand in 
Chaiyaphum yesterday to meet Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung as he 
began an official inspection of 14 northeastern provinces.

About 30 people chanted, jeered and burned Chalerm in effigy when he arrived 
in Chaiyaphum.
The interior minister blew them a kiss About 300 police were on hand to 
provide security.
PAD officials say Chalerm will be confronted when he arrives at Khon Kaen 
University tomorrow, where he is to preside over a meeting to issue policies 
to 13 northeastern provincial governors, provincial police chiefs and heads 
of local government.
The protesters have prepared placards reading: "Civil disobedience by Khon 
Kaen residents against a government that sells the country."
About 400 PAD protesters are expected to confront the minister in Loei 
tomorrow.
Last week, on an official trip to the South, Chalerm encountered stiff 
protests from PAD protesters in Phuket and Krabi.
He ended up flying back to Bangkok without completing his scheduled duties.
People Power Party MPs later threatened not to allocate development funds to 
southern provinces if the protests against Cabinet members continued.
The southern provinces have long been known as a stronghold of the 
opposition Democrat Party.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6426492.html

Thai PM makes his way out of TV station amid protest

+-13:23, June 08, 2008

After finishing his live weekly TV talk show program, Thailand's Prime 
Minister Samak Sundaravej on Sunday morning made his way out of the NBT 
national TV station amid heavy security protection and strong protest.

More than 100 police officers provided security for the premier while 
Samak's car drove out of the station.

However, during Samak's talk show program, the anti-government People's 
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) laid down wreaths in front of the station. A 
scuffle nearly broke out when pro-government demonstrators turned up, 
snatched wreaths from PAD representatives' hands and threw them into a 
nearby canal. Police had to break up the face-off between both sides, the 
Bangkok Post reported on its website.

The PAD, which had launched a two-week rally in central Bangkok, denouncing 
Samak as a nominee of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and demanding 
the Samak government to step down. Meanwhile, Samak has repeatedly demanded 
the PAD to remove their rally venue and ordered police negotiators to talk 
with the PAD leaders, saying that the marathon protest has disrupted traffic 
orders and people's lives.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/10/politics/politics_30077766.php

University braces for PAD protest
Chulalongkorn University threw up a blanket of security on Thursday 
following reports that the People's Alliance for Democracy may turn up to 
protest against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife 
Pojaman Shinawatra who are expected to come there as their yongest daughter, 
Paethongtarn Shinawatra is to attend the degree conferal ceremony.


Paethongtarn who is to accept a degree in Political Science did not show 
sign of worries or nervousnes following the reports of the PAD protest. She 
enjoyed having her pictures taken with friends and close family members.

None of PAD protesters, neither Thaksin nor Pojaman have arrived in the 
university.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/100708_News/10Jul2008_news10.php

Protest planned for Noppadon's arrival

Hundreds of protesters are expected to flock to Suvarnabhumi airport today 
to protest against Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who is due to arrive 
in Bangkok from London this morning.
Some leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday 
announced on stage at their present demonstration site on the Makkhawan 
Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue that they would rally at 
Suvarnabhumi airport.
Mr Noppadon is due to arrive home this morning after failing to convince the 
World Heritage Committee to delay its decision to list the Preah Vihear 
temple as a World Heritage site on Monday.
The protesters have blamed Mr Noppadon _ who signed a joint communique with 
Cambodia supporting the temple's listing _ for the committee's decision, 
following the proposal made by Phnom Penh alone.
Many Thais are concerned that the committee's decision could result in the 
loss of sovereignty in the area surrounding the temple.
Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia but both Thailand and Cambodia claim 
ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre overlapping area surrounding the temple.

Rally fatigue
People's Allance for Democracy (PAD) coordinator Suriyasai Katasila takes a 
nap behind the rally stage at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge. A group of PAD 
protesters plans to protest at Suvarnabhumi airport against Foreign Minister 
Noppadon Pattama,, who is due to arrive from London this morning. — PAWAT 
LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila yesterday denied that five key PAD 
leaders would show up at the airport today.
He said the PAD had not officially resolved to stage a rally at the airport 
and anyone who turned up there would be acting on their own behalf.
Meanwhile, the PAD has appealed against the Civil Court's order that forced 
its rally to leave Government House, claiming it is against the 
constitution.
PAD lawyer Suwat Apaipak said the court's order for the PAD to prevent its 
stage and protesters from blocking Rama V and Phitsanulok roads in front of 
Government House between 5am and 6pm was tantamount to an order to disperse 
the demonstration.
The right to demonstrate is a right under the constitution so the PAD 
considered the court's order unconstitutional, Mr Suwat said.
He said the PAD had to appeal, otherwise it would face a series of such 
lawsuits whenever it moved its demonstration.
The court's order on Monday was in response to petitions from teachers and 
parents from Rachawinit school near Government House.
The PAD filed its appeal on Monday and the court gave teachers at the school 
15 days to send in their reactions.
However, the PAD has reversed its decision to push for the impeachment of 
two Civil Court judges who ordered it to move aside for traffic on Rama V 
and Phitsanulok roads. They have continued to demand the ouster of the Samak 
Sundaravej administration and called on the military and police to protect 
the ''national interest'' without using force.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30078688

1 protester injured while rally against NCCC

A man suffered severe burns when he and his group of protesters lid fire to 
a mock coffin in their protest against the National Counter Corruption 
Commission Tuesday.

Thiang Phakdeerat, 45, was rushed to a nearby hospital at 10:15 am with 
burns over his right arm, body and right thigh.

Thiang joined a group of 20 protesters led by activist Warachai Chokchana to 
protest against the NCCC.

They demanded the current NCCC members to resign on ground that they were 
appointed by coup makers.

When the protesters set the mock coffin on fire, Thiang's clothes caught 
fire.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081101

PAD stages protest outside Foreign Ministry

The People's Alliance for Democracy staged a protest outside the Foreign 
Ministry Thursday morning to demand it to annual passports of former prime 
minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife.

The protest began at 9:30 am.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/04/politics/politics_30077254.php

Minister cancels Khon Kaen press conference to avoid Protesters
By The Nation
Published on July 4, 2008
Natural Resource and Environment Minister Anongwan Thepsuthin yesterday 
cancelled her official duties in Khon Kaen, fearing she could be subjected 
to protests by local People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) members, as 
happened to Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

Anongwan was due to join a press conference on an irrigation project. 
Alerted to a PAD protest, she suddenly cancelled her plans and headed to 
Kalasin instead.
"It appears the Cabinet is unlikely to rule the country, as ministers are 
now frightened about repeating Chalerm's history," said Somphob Bunnag, a 
leader of Khon Kaen's PAD.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party (PPP) condemned the PAD for "besieging" 
Chalerm to prevent him from performing his official duties in Phuket 
yesterday.
PPP spokesman Kudeb Saikrajang read a party statement accusing the PAD of 
resorting to civil disobedience by using force to oust the minister.
He expressed regret for the public's lost opportunities resulting from the 
possible consequences of what happened. The group may expand civil 
disobedience to other areas, because it saw the method was successful in 
pressuring Chalerm. All parties should move against the PAD, and the 
Democrat Party should state its stance on the matter.
The PPP has analysed the situation and believes the PAD's actions will not 
disrupt the political scene very much, because the PPP will strictly stick 
to parliamentary procedures and not bow out from external political 
pressure, Kudeb said.
The PPP knows who is behind the protest but refuses to elaborate until it 
has enough evidence, he said.
Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon denied his party was responsible for 
the rally against Chalerm and suggested the government take legal action 
against the plotters of the protest.
Those who leaked reports that a Democrat MP whose name begins with the Thai 
letter sor was the one behind Tuesday's protest in Krabi were engaged in 
mudslinging, he said.
"If the government believes that, then it should get police to press 
charges," Ong-art said.
He also attacked the government for threatening to withhold development 
funds from southern provinces.
"The fund allocation must be in accordance with fiscal-budget rules and 
regulations and not influenced by any province protesting against the 
government or any minister," he said.

http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-06/07/content_8325754.htm

Anti-government group continues protests as security heightened in Bangkok
       by Shen Min
    BANGKOK, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's anti-government group People's 
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) carried out its street protests in central 
Bangkok into the 14th day on Saturday to demand the step-down of Prime 
Minister Samak Sundaravej.
    Meanwhile, security was heightened on Saturday around the political 
center on the Ratchadamnoen Avenue, a major artery in Bangkok where major 
government agencies and cultural landmarks are located, with dozens of 
anti-riot police guarding around major entries to the Government House.
    A few hundreds of anti-riot police were also seen standing around the 
protest venue at the Makkawan Bridge in front of the UN Economic and Social 
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) headquarters compound in central 
Bangkok, where PAD speakers were delivering messages to an audience of 
thousands on a central stage, denouncing Samak, who they labeled as a 
nominee of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
    Though the Samak government said last week it had dropped the plan to 
use force against the protesters, observers were still worried that the 
police might take tougher measures like forceful dispersing and violent 
clashes would happen, as the PAD stuck to the rally venue in the heart of 
the Thai capital and remained firm in their calls for the ouster of Samak.
    Samak has repeatedly demanded the PAD to remove their rally venue and 
ordered police negotiators to talk with the PAD leaders, saying that the 
marathon protest has disrupted traffic orders and people's lives. However, 
PAD leaders insisted they would not move.
    Retired Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, a core leader of the PAD, on 
Saturday denied reports that PAD demonstrators had secretly stored weapons 
to fight against "harassment by pro-government groups."
    Chamlong, a former well-known political activist and Bangkok governor, 
was quoted by Thai News Agency as saying that the plainclothes police 
officers who have been dispatched to the protest site would have arrested 
the protesters if they had cached any weapons.
    He said the demonstrators only have flag poles, shields and baseball 
bats for self-defense because "the police couldn't protect us".
    The PAD had taken a 'mini-protest strategy' in the last two days of 
street rallies, dispatching small teams of protesters to independent 
organizations such as the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), which were set 
up by the junta after the military top brass staged a bloodless coup to 
topple the elected government led by Thaksin on Sept. 19, 2006.
    The "mini-protests" are meant to query the progress of corruption cases 
involving Thaksin, his family and his political allies.
    Somsak Kosaisuk, another core leader of PAD, said demonstrators would 
travel to the Office of the Auditor General next Monday to offer moral 
support to AEC members who are responsible for probing and filing charges 
against Thaksin and his relations.
    Somsak said PAD members had traveled to agencies concerning the 
country's justice system because the People Power Party (PPP), the core 
political party of the current coalition government headed by PPP leader 
Samak, had pressured the agencies in a bid to prevent charges against 
Thaksin entering court procedures.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/05/20086150956207931.html

Thai protesters injured in clashes

Government supporters jeer at activists calling for the resignation of 
Thailand's prime minister [AFP]

Clashes in Thailand's capital between protesters calling for the prime 
minister's resignation and their opponents have injured at least 18 people.

Before riot police separated the opposing sides in Bangkok, protesters from 
both sides were struck by rocks, bottles and other objects.
Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy accused Samak Sundaravej, 
Thailand's prime minister, of assisting Thaksin Shinawatra's efforts to 
create a dynasty.

Critics see Samak as a proxy for Thaksin, Thailand's former prime minister 
who was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006.
Speakers at the rally on Sunday also accused Samak of trying to change the 
country's constitution as a way to hold on to power and to prevent Thaksin 
from facing justice.

Thaksin faces corruption-related charges filed by special committees set
up by the military after the coup.

Thailand will hold a referendum in early July on whether to amend the 
military-backed constitution, which was approved by voters less than a year 
ago.

If the constitution is amended to deprive those committees of their legal
basis for existence, charges brought by them against Thaksin and his family 
could in turn be abandoned.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30074938

PAD protesters cause 2-hour traffic snarl on Phitsanulok

About 100 protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy blocked the 
Phitsanulok for nearly two hours when they marched to the Office of the 
National Counter Corruption Commission.

They were stopped at the Chamai Maruchet bridge by police from passing in 
front of the Government House at about 11 am.

Police took about two hours to convince the protesters to move to Nakhon 
Pathom Road near the NCCC office to demonstrate there.

The protesters went to the NCCC office to demand to know the progress of 
investigations of corruption cases against former prime minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/07/news/Thailand-Political-Tensions.php

Thousands protest against Thai police demanding action against former prime 
minister

The Associated Press
Published: July 7, 2008

BANGKOK, Thailand: Thousands of people marched to Thailand's national police 
headquarters Monday to demand faster action on long-pending legal cases 
against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The protest came as a series of legal cases against Thaksin appeared to be 
gaining momentum, with a ruling on one expected at the end of the month.
The demonstrators, led by the anti-government People's Alliance for 
Democracy, accused police of protecting Thaksin and his loyalists against 
prosecution by stalling their investigations.
Thaksin was toppled in a bloodless military coup in 2006 following months of 
street protests led by the alliance. Critics accused the former leader of 
corruption and abuse of power, and several legal cases were filed against 
him and his associates after he was ousted.
Thaksin returned from exile earlier this year, vowing to clear his name in 
court.
More than 3,000 protesters gathered in front of the police headquarters in 
downtown Bangkok, near three of the country's most expensive shopping malls.
"I come to police headquarters to ask you why you have been sitting on the 
cases against Thaksin and his followers. These cases are moving nowhere," 
Sondhi Limthongkul, an alliance leader, shouted through a loudspeaker. "If 
the police do not serve the public and adhere to justice, how do they expect 
people to look up to them?"
About 600 police officers were deployed to keep the demonstrators from 
entering the police headquarters, police spokesman Maj. Gen. Surapol 
Tuanthong said.
Of 24 cases against Thaksin and members of his family, only seven have gone 
to court. The others are still lodged with the police or the attorney 
general's office.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court is to hold its first hearing of witnesses in a 
trial of Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman, on charges related to her purchase 
of prime Bangkok real estate during his term. Thaksin and Pojaman are not 
required to appear in court.
An anti-corruption law bars prime ministers and their spouses from doing 
business with government agencies. But there is some dispute over whether 
the law applies in this case because the agency that sold the land to 
Pojaman was not technically under the authority of the prime minister.
Both Thaksin and his wife have pleaded innocent to the charges of 
malfeasance and conflict of interest.
The People's Alliance for Democracy and its followers have been on the 
streets of Bangkok since May 25, vowing not to stop their protests until the 
current government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigns.
The protesters accuse Samak's government of interfering with the charges 
against Thaksin and say Samak is acting as his proxy. Thaksin is barred from 
political office until 2012.
Samak has denied the accusations and has said the protesters are trying to 
undermine his democratically elected government, which came to power earlier 
this year after winning nationwide polls.
Monday's demonstration was noisy but largely peaceful, with protesters 
singing nationalistic songs and shouting, "Thaksin, go to jail" amid 
cheering crowds and onlooking shoppers.
Following Thaksin's fall from power, a now defunct investigating committee 
compiled 24 cases against him, his associates and family members ranging 
from tax evasion to conspiracy in the sale of a family business.
Later this month, the Bangkok Criminal Court will rule on charges of tax 
evasion against Thaksin's wife.
In the case, Pojaman and her brother, Bhanapot Damapong, are accused of 
failing to pay about $16 million in taxes. The two face a maximum penalty of 
14 years in prison each if convicted.

http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-06/21/content_8413469.htm

Thousands of anti-government protestors led by the People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) hold a large rally outside the Government House in central 
Bangkok, Thailand, June 20, 2008. The demonstrators marched from different 
directions towards the Government House in central Bangkok on Friday to 
mount a planned besiege to pressure for a step-down of the administration 
led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. (Xinhua Photo)

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-6-21/72201.html

Thai PM Will Not Quit As Protesters Besiege Office
ReutersJun 21, 2008

Protesters wave Thai national flags in front of Government House in Bangkok, 
Thailand, as they demanded that the coalition government of Prime Minster 
Samak Sudaravej step down. (Chumsak Kanoknan/Getty Images)

BANGKOK�Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will not resign, a spokesman 
said on Saturday as thousands of protesters besieged his office, vowing to 
stay until they forced the government from power.
"It's impossible that Prime Minister Samak will resign," said Kuthep 
Saikrajang, spokesman for the People Power Party (PPP) that leads a 
six-party coalition elected six months ago.
"The standpoint of our party is that the government will not resign and 
there will be no house dissolution," Kuthep said, responding to a newspaper 
report that the country's army chief had urged Samak to dissolve parliament 
to end the protests.
Asked how he planned to deal with the demonstrators, Samak, who visited 
police officers injured in Friday's scuffles with the marchers, told 
reporters to wait for his weekly radio and television address on Sunday.
Samak triggered coup fears last month when he vowed to smash the four-week 
campaign, but backed off when the police and military made it clear they had 
no stomach for a fight.
On Saturday, thousands of mainly middle-class Bangkok residents were camped 
outside the ornate iron fence surrounding Government House after they were 
allowed to pass through lines of riot police on Friday to avoid violence.
The atmosphere was jovial with the crowd clapping and cheering speakers on a 
hastily erected stage as police looked on. Vendors were doing a brisk trade 
in umbrellas and fans as people sought relief from the sun.
"I don't know what will happen in the next one or two days, but our mission 
is still the same," said retired general Chamlong Srimuang, a co-leader of 
the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) comprising academics, royalists 
and businessmen.
"We came here to tell them to get out," said the shaven-headed ascetic 
Buddhist who helped lead the PAD's street protests that ended with the 
ouster of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a bloodless 2006 coup.
Paralysed Government
With the election in December of an avowedly pro-Thaksin government, it was 
only a matter of time before the PAD renewed its crusade, which it paints as 
a life-and-death struggle between monarchists and republicans.
Friday's 25,000-strong march was largely peaceful and relieved investors 
pushed up Thai shares by nearly 4 percent.
Nevertheless, the main index is still down 13 percent since the protests 
began on May 25, with foreign investors worried about the government's 
policy paralysis at a time of soaring inflation and stuttering economic 
growth.
The Bangkok Post newspaper, citing an unnamed source, said army chief 
Anupong Paochinda had urged Samak to dissolve parliament and call fresh 
elections only six months after the last nationwide polls.
"Clearing the decks would allow the people to 'make a new decision' at a 
fresh general election," the newspaper said.
Samak, a 73-year-old veteran politician who won millions of rural votes in 
December by promising to revive Thaksin's populist policies, did not comment 
on his meeting with Anupong on Friday.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/354458/1/.html

Thousands protest outside Thai Election Commission
Posted: 16 June 2008 2014 hrs
Protesters march to Thailand's Election Commission

BANGKOK : About 4,000 anti-government protesters marched Monday to 
Thailand's Election Commission to protest against what they claimed was a 
bias towards ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, police said.

Members of the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) marched past 
the capital's busy shopping district before demonstrating for two hours 
outside the EC offices, a senior Bangkok police officer told AFP.

PAD leaders, whose protests in early 2006 preceded a coup later that year, 
claim the EC favoured the Thaksin-backed People Power Party which won 
elections in December last year, marking a return to democracy in Thailand.

"The PAD thinks that the current political crisis was caused by some members 
of the EC who worked with bias to protect the Thaksin system," the group 
said in a statement.

The PAD has since May 25 blocked off a key thoroughfare outside the United 
Nations headquarters in Bangkok's historic district, demanding PPP leader 
and Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resign.

Although the number of protesters has dwindled to several hundred, the 
political uncertainly has sent the Thai stock market falling in recent weeks 
and sparked rumours of another coup in the kingdom.

Thaksin was overthrown in September 2006 by royalist generals who launched a 
number of corruption investigations into the ousted premier.

The EC investigated allegations of vote fraud after the December polls and 
disqualified a number of PPP's winning candidates, but Samak still had 
enough seats to form a coalition government and take office.

- AFP/ir

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/02/politics/politics_30074583.php

Surapong urges PAD to move protest site
Deputy prime minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee on Monday 
suggested that the People's Alliance for Democracy move their protest site 
if they want to stage a long term anti-government campaign.

Surapong said if the PAD wants to protest for months, they should find a 
protest site which do not block traffic.
The call came after the PAD constructed a permanent rally stage last night 
near Makkhawan bridge.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/02/thailand.protests/

June 2, 2008 -- Updated 1659 GMT (0059 HKT)

Constitution protests continue in Thailand
Story Highlights
Protests have moved into second week heightening political tensions
Protest, ongoing for six days, against planned constitution change
Switch would mean ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra protected from corruption charges
Peoples Alliance for Democracy have vowed to continue with protests

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Despite winning a string of government 
concessions, hundreds continued to protest on the streets of Thailand 
Monday, some calling for the country's prime minister to resign.

Thai PM Samak Sundaravej stated that he would not use force to end the 
protests in the Thai capital

The protests have moved into a second week heightening political tensions 
and birthing rumors of a possible coup.
The around-the-clock protests in Bangkok are headed by a group called the 
People's Alliance for Democracy, (PAD).
The group is protesting a proposed change to Thailand's constitution which 
would protect former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his followers 
from corruption charges.
Shinawatra was ousted from power in the country's last coup in 2006.
The recent polictical turmoil has affected the country's economy as the 
Stock Exchange of Thailand composite index dropped more than 2 percent, a 
state-run news agency reported Monday. Analysts attributed the drop to the 
political tensions in the country, the agency said.
The agency quoted Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee 
Monday about the rumors of a coup in the country.
Don't Miss
Thai PM threatens forces on protesters
"I admit the political disturbances in the past week has undermined 
confidence in the country's economy. However, all parties still believe the 
incident will neither turn violent nor lead to a coup," he said.
Current Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej issued a televised warning Saturday 
to protesters threatening to bring police to get them off the street. 
Hundreds of riot police could be seen near the protests this weekend.
On Sunday, the prime minister reversed his stance stating that he would not 
use force to end the protests, according to a government statement.
For some this was seen as a concession that weakened the position of the 
prime minister.
"It was brinkmanship and Samak backed down. This made him lose a lot of 
credibility," said Tahitian Pongsuthirak, director of the Institute of 
Security and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. 
"I think over the past weekend his position has become much more 
precarious."
Monday government officials seemed to make another concession to protesters 
by creating a committee to work on rewriting the constitution and stating 
that members of the protest group could join the committee, according to 
reports in the Bangkok Post newspaper.
Bangkok government officials conceded to another of the protesters requests 
last week to have Thai minister Jakrapob Penkair to step down.
Penzair, who was a minister attached to the prime minister's office, 
announced his resignation Friday.
Despite these concessions, hundreds of protesters were seen on streets 
Monday. And PAD seemed to up the ante by calling for the resignation of the 
prime minister.
An interior minister said Monday that Sundaravej would never resign, the 
state-run news agency said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30075376

Anti-PAD protesters to end rally Friday


Deputy police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Surapol Thuanthong said Thursday that 
demonstrators against the People's Alliance for Democracy would end their 
rally Friday.

Surapol said so far about 200 anti-PAD demonstrators remained at Sanam 
Luang.

Their leaders announced Wednesday night that they would end their 
demonstration Friday.

The Nation

http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=597547

Thai FM leaves for UNESCO Quebec meeting; activists to protest at temple
Posted: 2008/07/05
From: MNN

 Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama left here Saturday to attend a 
UNESCO meeting in Quebec City, Canada, on a Cambodian government plan to 
apply for international recognition of Preah Vihear temple as a World 
Heritage site.

Meanwhile, some 20 Thai-based activist groups threatened to hold a mass 
demonstration at the entrance of the ancient Khmer temple on the 
Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket province on Saturday.

Speaking to journalists before his departure, Mr. Noppadon said he would 
official withdraw Thailand's endorsement of the planned action and request 
the World Heritage Committee to postpone its consideration on listing Preah 
Vihear as a World Heritage site during this session.

UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural 
Organization, began its current session on Wednesday and is due to complete 
its agenda next Thursday.

Press reports said the UNESCO committee will begin its consideration of the 
temple issue in Quebec on Sunday.

In response to politicised nationalistic reactions in Bangkok to what had 
earlier been understood by two Thai governments as being non-critical 
issues, Mr. Noppadon is carrying the present government's decision to 
suspend UNESCO action pending Thai court actions which have forced the 
current government to reconsider its stance.

Mr. Noppadon said he would do whatever he could to defer consideration of 
listing the temple by explaining to the committee the circumstances of an 
injunction granted by Thailand's Administrative Court on June 28 barring the 
Thai cabinet resolution endorsing the joint communiqué signed by Mr. 
Noppadon and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An on June 18.

In another development, Viwat Akarabutr, a coordinator for the Patriotic 
E-San (Northeast) Network, said more than 20 activist groups would gather 
early Saturday to rally at the entrance of the temple demanding the Thai 
authorities to evict Cambodians who have homes and shops near the temple but 
inside Thai territory.

Mr. Viwat said the activists would also ask the Thai police on developments 
regarding their complaints lodged earlier about the alleged encroachment by 
Cambodian nationals.

The temple was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 
1962 but access is by road from the Thai side of the border, and is 
practically impossible from the Khmer side, as the temple sits on a high 
rocky promontory overlooking cliffs and tangled jungle below.

The action is seen as a result of patriotic Thai academics, senators and the 
opposition Democrat Party which have opposed the Cambodia's plan to apply 
for the registration of the temple on the grounds that Thailand might lose 
sovereignty over areas near the temple still disputed by the two countries. 
(TNA)

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2008081421207/National-news/Unions-plan-to-protest-Thai-occupation-of-disputed-border-areas.html

Unions plan to protest Thai occupation of disputed border areas

Written by Cheang Sokha and Thet Sambath
Thursday, 14 August 2008

Hundreds of patriots expected to demand Thailand's withdrawal from Preah 
Vihear, a day before the next round of border talks
Another round
Hor Namhong plans to meet his Thai counterpart Tej Bunnag on Monday in the 
Thai resort town of Hua Hin. Despite the foreign ministers’ earlier accord 
to recommend “re-deployment” of troops, Thai sorties into disputed territory 
continue.
THE Cambodia Confederation of Unions announced on Wednesday that it would 
hold a peaceful demonstration in Phnom Penh on Sunday to demand the 
withdrawal of Thai troops from disputed border areas near Preah Vihear 
temple.

The announcement was made in a letter to Municipal Governor Kep Chuktema and 
stated that at least 300 people would gather at the former National Assembly 
building and march through the city.

Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association 
(CITA), said the purpose of the demonstration was to bring Cambodians 
together to show their desire for the withdrawal of Thai forces and to urge 
the government to seek the intervention of the UN Security Council to 
resolve the dispute.

"The delay in taking action will only give the Thais an opportunity to stay 
longer on Cambodian lands," said Rong Chhun, a signatory of the letter 
announcing the protest.

He said that he expected thousands of factory workers and civil servants 
would attend the demonstration to express their outrage over what they view 
as an invasion by Thailand.

The demonstration is to come a day ahead of a scheduled meeting between the 
two countries' foreign ministers. A previous meeting failed to produce a 
resolution.

Sin Bunthoeun, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, questioned the 
need for a rally. "It isn't necessary because the government is working to 
resolve the dispute peacefully." But he added that the demonstrators have 
every right to express their concern.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2008/04/27/2003410388

Activist risking jail after protest against royal theater ritual

AP, BANGKOK
Sunday, Apr 27, 2008, Page 5
In theaters across Thailand, movies are always preceded by an on-screen 
anthem honoring King Bhumibol Adulyadej and the audience springs to their 
feet.
But activist Chotisak Onsoong says requiring the practice violates his 
freedom of choice, and he is willing to risk a 15-year jail term to make his 
point.

Police said on Friday they are pressing ahead with an investigation of 
Chotisak on a complaint of lese majeste — insulting the monarchy — for his 
failure to stand for the Royal Anthem in an incident last September that 
prompted an angry confrontation with fellow moviegoers.

The case is apparently the first deliberate challenge to the strict lese 
majeste law in a country where the 80-year-old king is almost universally 
revered as a selfless and hardworking benefactor of the people.

Chotisak and his girlfriend were summoned to hear the formal complaint 
against them this week, said Colonel Wallop Patummuang, the officer in 
charge of the case.

“We are now collecting evidence to see if there is enough to prosecute 
 them,” Wallop said on Friday.

Chotisak said it should be a matter of free choice whether he sits or stands 
during the music, and his failure to stand up has nothing to do with 
disrespecting the king.

“Thai society tells everyone in the world that this is a democratic 
 society,” he said. “I think everyone in Thailand should respect 
differences, the way of other people’s thinking.”

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, but has severe lese majeste laws, 
mandating a jail term of three to 15 years for “whoever defames, insults or 
threatens the king.”

Actual prosecutions are relatively rare.

The issue was highlighted last year when a Swiss man was given a 10-year 
prison sentence for defacing images of the revered monarch.

He was pardoned by the king after serving about a month behind bars.