[Onthebarricades] Thailand protests, December 2008

[global resistance roundup]

* Protesters learn to express differences according to study
* PAD not as bad as alleged - blogger
* Eight dead, 737 injured
* Body found at Bangkok airport
* Students, Thaksin supporters clash
* How did Thai protesters manage it? (BBC)
* End of protests "time for accountability" - Amnesty
* Dec 31 - Redshirt protests force change of venue
* Dec 31 - Redshirt protests suspended
* Dec 30 - Redshirts besiege Parliament
* Dec 29 - Redshirt protest at Parliament begins
* Dec 19 - Minister flees protesters as protests spread
* Dec 16 - Taxi drivers protest new government
* Dec 15 - Redshirts decry Vejjava, damage cars
* Vejjava vows to prosecute own supporters
* New foreign minister linked to airport protesters, calls protests "fun"
* PAD vows new protests if PPP returns to power
* Opponents can protest says Vejjava





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/11/national/national_30090668.php

Protestors learn to express differences, have better grasp of democracy 
: study
By By Pongphon Sarnsamak
DAILY XPRESS
Published on December 11, 2008

The Public Health Ministry will study the impact of the recent political 
demonstrations on the mental health of the participants -- both the 
anti-government People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters and 
pro-government supporters, said a senior health official.
The move comes after the PAD announced the end of its siege of 
Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang Airport on December 2.
First bloody clash
Department of Mental Health Spokesman Dr Taveesilp Wisanuyothin said 
plans for the long-term project were put in place soon after October 7, 
the day of the first bloody clash between PAD protesters and police. The 
project aims to study 600 people who joined the demonstrations.
Preparing for tension
Taveesilp believes the results will be a key to preparing individuals 
for times of political tension in the future. He said that people who 
had joined the demonstrations were optimistic about the political 
situation because the protests had taught them how to control their 
emotions, and express their feelings to those on the other side.
Moreover, people on the same side had made strong relationships.
" Protesters have created close friendships with each other during the 
protests," commented a mental-health expert. "That should have a 
positive rather than a negative effect on their mental health. It means 
they will communicate and understand each other better if they gather 
together in the future."





http://www.nowpublic.com/world/acivities-pad-protest

Acivities in PAD protest

uploaded by BeeBee December 7, 2008 at 01:16 am

There's been a lot of negative news coming out of Thailand lately and 
obviously with good reason. The PAD took over Suvarnabhumi Airport, the 
tourism and export industries took a major hit and the political 
situation has still not been completely resolved. However, there is some 
GOOD news to report on.
First, there was almost no violence in the mass demonstrations that took 
place at both of Thailand's airports. The occupiers left peacefully when 
the demonstrations were over and there was no vandalism or any 
destruction reported at either airport. In fact, Suvarnabhumi was in 
such good condition that flights were landing right away and some 
carriers started up their regular flight schedules again only two days 
after the airport was vacated by the demonstrators. Things are not 
completely back to normal yet but they are definitely on the way.
Second, even though there has been a great deal of political unrest here 
in the last several months there is never much violence here in 
Thailand. It just isn't in the Thai psyche. Yes, there were some 
confrontations with the police that left some people injured, some 
badly. There is no disputing that. But considering the numbers of people 
involved and the heated emotions that were stoked up, it's amazing that 
there was as little violence as there was.
What most people outside of Thailand don't realize is that there was no 
security breakdown at the airports that allowed the demonstrators to 
take over. The army and police here knew full well what was going to 
happen and they sat back and let it. They are in favor of the PAD and 
want the last remnants of Thaksin Shinawatra's elements out of power. 
There is an enormous chess game being played behind the scenes here that 
is very difficult to figure out as you have many different factions 
jockeying for position. I'll try to keep up on things as they develop.
And another important point is that there was no violence directed 
towards any foreigners nor were any foreigners ever at risk during the 
entire time. The demonstrations and confrontations were confined to a 
very small part of Bangkok at all times and if you didn't read the news 
reports on what was happening here you wouldn't even have been aware of 
any problems. Even when the demonstrators occupied the airports they 
were respectful of the tourists that were there and provided them with 
food and water. Many people who were stranded in their hotels were given 
free rooms and every effort was made to make their ordeal as bearable as 
possible.
Thai people are naturally friendly and generous (which is why many 
people come here in the first place) and there have been news reports of 
foreign tourists praising some of the help that they received from the 
Thai people. No, all is not 100% rosy here but it's getting better fast 
and it's still a great (and inexpensive) place to have your holiday. If 
you come here you definitely will not regret it.









http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30090192

Protest casualties tallied at eigth deaths and 737 injured

 From May 25 to December 2, eight people were killed and 737 injured in 
violent incidents relating to anti-government protests by the People's 
Alliance for Democracy and counter rallies by the pro-government crowds.

The casualties happened in Bangkok and surrounding areas as compiled by 
the Erawan emergency medical service.

The upcountry clashes between yellow shirt protesters and red shirt 
crowds have yet to be tallied. In one incident, PAD supporter Settha 
Jiamkitwattana, 60, was shot dead in Chiang Mai.

The eight victims killed include seven killed in Bangkok and Settha in 
Chiang Mai.

The Nation






http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/395337/1/.html

Suspected protester's body found at Bangkok airport
Posted: 10 December 2008 1509 hrs

BANGKOK: Thai police said Wednesday they had found a man's body wrapped 
in plastic at Bangkok's domestic airport, a week after anti-government 
demonstrators lifted a blockade of the facility.

The man, aged about 30, was dressed in the uniform worn by volunteer 
guards of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which occupied Don 
Mueang airport between November 26 and December 3, they said.

The corpse was wrapped in plastic bags and dumped on the second floor of 
an abandoned cargo building on Tuesday evening, police Lieutenant 
Colonel Boonchot Lengbamrung said.

"The body is decayed, but from a primary investigation he was attacked 
and died around five or six days ago," he told AFP, without elaborating 
on the nature of the attack.

Police were working to identify the body, he said.

The man carried a piece of cloth that the guards - known as the 
"Srivijaya Warriors" - often used as a good luck charm to ward off 
danger, Boonchot said.

The area where he was found was occupied by PAD guards during the 
seizure of the airport, he added.

At least one PAD supporter was previously reported killed and 22 wounded 
in a grenade attack at Don Mueang on Tuesday last week, hours before a 
court ruling ousted the prime minister and led to the movement lifting 
the siege.

Thousands of protesters took control of Don Mueang and the newer 
Suvarnabhumi international airport, leaving thousands of tourists 
stranded and causing Thailand to lose nearly four billion dollars in 
revenue.

Guards from the royalist PAD have been accused of threatening behaviour 
during the PAD's occupation of the prime minister's offices in Bangkok 
from late August until last week and during the siege of the two airports.

A court disbanded Thailand's ruling People Power Party (PPP) and barred 
prime minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for five years on 
December 2 following months of PAD protests.

The main opposition Democrat Party is now seeking to form a government 
with the PPP's former coalition partners.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/14/politics/politics_30090912.php

Students, Thaksin supporters clash
By THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Published on December 14, 2008

A group of Pathumwan Institute of Technology students fought with a 
group of pro-Thaksin red-shirts in front of the National Stadium 
yesterday morning ahead of the mobile "Truth Today" programme in which 
former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was to address his supporters 
by telephone link.
The fight, which broke out around 8am, reportedly came after some 
students and graduates, who had been at a reunion party since Friday 
night and were possibly drunk, crossed the street to the stadium and got 
into a fistfight with a group of red-shirts outside the stadium, said 
Pathumwan police station chief Colonel Paisarn Luasomboon.
The fight, followed by the sounds of gunfire and explosions from the 
school, prompted many red-shirts to run for cover, while the students 
shouted abuse at them from inside the college.
Paisarn said the explosions from the college had been firecrackers lit 
by the students.
The fight, which caused traffic on Rama I Road to be heavily congested, 
prompted Paisarn to deploy 200 officers in front of the college to 
prevent students from clashing with the red-shirts again. |With security 
in place, the Thaksin supporters occupied most of the roofed seats 
inside the National Stadium by noon.
They were spooked, however, when an explosion was heard in front of the 
stadium at 3pm, but nobody was injured. Paisarn later commented that 
someone might have thrown a giant cracker inside a plastic bottle from a 
passing car and police would process the scene in detail later.
With many people attending the event, which was scheduled to last until 
late last night, city motorists were advised to avoid the area around 
the stadium on Rama 1 Road, Phayathai Road, Rama 4 Road, Sam Yan Road 
and Sathorn Road.






http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7762806.stm

Wednesday, 3 December 2008

How did Thai protesters manage it?
By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Bangkok

Some say the PAD should be viewed as a military organisation
Claiming victory, the yellow-clad hordes from the People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) rolled up their mats and sleeping bags.
They queued for souvenir autographed scarves - yellow of course - from 
the leaders who had taken them into this astonishing act of 
insurrection, and boarded buses and pick-up trucks for the ride home.
An army of cleaners, technicians and security personnel moved in behind 
them to get Bangkok's $4bn (£2.7bn) state-of-the-art airport back into 
operation.
Within a few days the mass sit-in will just be a surreal memory.
But the questions their actions have raised about the state of Thailand 
will continue long after the last plastic hand-clapper is picked up and 
disposed of.
How could a country as advanced and as dependent on exports and tourism 
as Thailand allow such a vital transport hub to be stormed by a mob that 
never numbered more than a few thousand?
What is the PAD, and what gives the movement the confidence to commit 
its dramatic acts of economic sabotage without fearing any legal sanction?
Weak police
The airport sit-in shows the PAD's skill at pulling off bold and 
unexpected stunts.
When the first PAD convoys approached the airport last Tuesday, they 
said they were only going to protest against then-Prime Minister Somchai 
Wongsawat, who was due to arrive back from the Apec summit in Peru.
The government had a strategy of avoiding confrontation - it did not 
want a repeat of the disastrous events in October, when several PAD 
supporters were seriously injured in clashes with the police.
The police were under orders not to use force and retreated.
No-one thought the PAD would try to take over one of the world's biggest 
and busiest airport terminals.

Thai police were reluctant to confront protesters
In fact, PAD organisers told the BBC they had carefully planned the 
seizure of the airport weeks before.
The weakness of Thailand's police is also important.
They have proved no match for this determined and organised movement. 
They are poorly trained in riot control, and lack the status of the army.
When it became clear that the PAD was set on taking over the airport, 
the local governor asked the army for assistance. None came.
As throughout this year, the army's refusal to help contain the PAD has 
left the government with no means of resisting this insurgency.
The police are up against an organisation of considerable logistical 
strength.
It is a remarkably well-trained and well-funded movement.
Logistical efficiency
One of the many retired generals supporting its occupation at the 
airport observed that it should be seen as a military, not a civilian 
organisation.
Behind the "aunties with clappers" and well-groomed young women 
clutching lap-dogs that are the public face of the movement are squads 
of hoodlums, armed with batons, metal spikes and hand-guns who man the 
barricades and hunt down intruders.
One morning I followed them as they dragged an alleged government spy 
off to an undisclosed location, kicking and punching him.
I was unable to find out his fate. Some of these thugs are members of 
private armies run by retired generals.
The PAD's logistical efficiency is impressive.
Within hours of occupying the airport it had ample supplies of food, 
water, blankets and medicines for the thousands of supporters who joined 
the sit-in.

ESCALATING CONFLICT
September 2006: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ousted in military coup
February 2008: Samak Sundaravej sworn in as prime minister
August 2008: PAD protesters occupy government buildings, demanding the 
government step down
September 2008: Mr Samak dismissed for violating conflict of interest 
law. Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, becomes prime minister
October 2008: Thaksin given a two-year jail sentence for corruption in 
his absence
26 November 2008: Anti-government protesters take control of Bangkok's 
main airport
2 December 2008: Thai court rules that PM Somchai should be banned from 
politics, and his party should be dissolved
3 December 2008: Protesters vacate Bangkok airports

Thai crisis exposes class struggle
Q&A: Bangkok protests

The food never ran out. You could get your mobile phone charged, or have 
a massage. PAD cleaners were brought in to keep the floors and toilets 
in order. The duty-free and check-in areas were sealed off and 
vigilantly protected by PAD guards.
The PAD's propaganda arm is equally impressive.
It runs its own television station, ASTV, which is widely broadcast and 
pours vitriol on the government.
Everywhere the movement goes it takes mobile stages, on the back of 
trucks, which blare out speeches and music from dawn until the small 
hours of the following morning.
The message is simple: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is evil, 
stole the people's money and will destroy the country. The poor rural 
people who voted for his party were all bribed, and unable to think for 
themselves.
Some of those taking part in the airport occupation had been listening 
to these firebrand speeches for months, without a break.
They all passionately believed their actions were worth the cost to the 
country, to see Thailand's politics cleaned up.
The question of who is behind the PAD is a subject of intense 
speculation in Thailand.
I met a lot of ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs at the airport who were 
helping keep the PAD supplied.
But much bigger Thai businesses are widely believed to be financing the 
movement, including at least two national banks.
Royal support?
Thaksin Shinawatra made a lot of powerful enemies while he was in office 
with his aggressive efforts to re-shape the country.
These are now using the PAD militants to get back at his party.
There are also plenty of former military commanders offering their help 
to the PAD - people like General Pathompong Kesornsuk, who has openly 
urged the army to launch a coup against the government.

PAD says it is acting in defence of the monarchy
One of the top PAD leaders is Chamlong Srimuang, a former general with 
close ties to Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, the king's most senior advisor.
Then there is the most sensitive question of all - the royal connection.
The PAD has justified its actions as being in defence of the monarchy, 
and the king's portrait has been displayed prominently during all its 
protests.
Senior figures close to the palace have openly supported the movement.
When the queen offered to preside over the funeral last month of a PAD 
protestor killed during clashes with the police, it appeared to be a 
tacit blessing for the movement.
Some in the government even believe the revered king may be backing the 
movement, although at the age of almost 81 this seems unlikely.
Hard evidence is difficult to come by. But people's actions in Thailand 
are now being driven as much by what they believe as what they know to 
be true.
The government and its rural followers believe there is a 
palace-army-elite conspiracy to rob them of their electoral mandate.
The PAD and its middle-class followers believe the pro-Thaksin camp 
intends to turn Thailand into a republic, and overthrow the existing 
social order.
With so much believed to be at stake, compromise between the two sides 
is almost impossible.






http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=ENGNAU200812058518&lang=e

End of protests in Thailand is time for accountability
5 December 2008

The anti-government group the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) 
called a halt to the occupation of two international airports and 
government buildings in Bangkok on Wednesday 3 December.

The protests ended with PAD leaders claiming victory, after the 
Constitutional Court dissolved Thailand's governing People's Power Party 
(PPP) and banned Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics for five 
years.

The Thai government, its proxies and anti-government groups should now 
make commitments to ending human rights abuses, according to a joint 
statement by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW)

The organizations also called on the Thai government to create an 
independent commission to carry out a prompt, effective and impartial 
investigation into the politically motivated violence by all sides in 
recent months and to hold those responsible to account.

Several people have been killed and dozens injured since the PAD 
protests escalated in August. The potential for violence remains. PAD 
have said that protests could be renewed if another person seen as a 
proxy for the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as Somchai was, 
forms a new party and government and becomes prime minister.

"Members of the PAD, pro-government groups, and government officials 
responsible for violence and other human rights abuses should be held 
legally accountable," said Sam Zarifi, Asia-Pacific director at Amnesty 
International.

"The legacy of the Thaksin era and then military rule has seen severe 
weakening of the rule of law and accountability. The present volatile 
situation demands commitment from all sides to strengthen respect for 
human rights and end impunity."

During the recent months of political turbulence, the police have at 
times used excessive force to disperse PAD protesters. The most violent 
incident took place on 7 October, when police fired tear gas and rubber 
bullets to disperse about 2,000 protesters in front of Parliament.

News footage and accounts by witnesses show that police fired tear gas 
in a straight line and at close range directly at the protesters. Two 
PAD supporters died and 443 were injured, including four cases requiring 
amputation. About 20 police officers were wounded by PAD protesters who 
fired guns, shot slingshots, and threw bricks and metal pipes. Some 
police officers were run over by pickup trucks or stabbed with flagpoles.

"While police have the right to use force to defend themselves and 
others from attack, the extensive casualties demand an investigation 
into whether the police used excessive force," said Brad Adams, Asia 
director of Human Rights Watch. "Whenever serious injuries occur during 
protests, such an investigation should be mandatory."

Contrary to its claims that PAD is a non-violent, unarmed group, its 
leaders have armed many of their supporters and have made no visible 
efforts to disarm its followers. Many PAD security guards and protesters 
have been arrested at police checkpoints across Bangkok with guns, 
explosives, knives, and machetes.

Thai police reported that they arrested an armed PAD guard with a 
sub-machine gun, a pistol, a knife, homemade grenades, and a large 
quantity of ammunition, on 25 November. Three days later, 17 PAD 
protesters were arrested at a police checkpoint while trying to use a 
pickup truck marked with Red Cross symbols, to smuggle weapons to the 
protest site at Suvarnabumi international airport.

News footage and accounts by witnesses show PAD armed guards assaulting 
and detaining many people in their protest sites, accusing them of being 
government supporters.

PAD has carried out what it called "the final war" to overthrow the 
elected government of Prime Minister Somchai because of its close ties 
to Thaksin, since 23 November. With strong financial, political and 
logistical support from anti-government political parties, business 
people, and elements of the military and police, PAD proposes greater 
powers under a new constitution for the military and non-elected officials.

Thousands of PAD protesters surrounded the Thai Parliament on 24 
November. They cut electricity supplies, forcing the joint session 
between the House of Representatives and the Senate to be cancelled.

Another group of protesters then surrounded the nearby headquarters of 
the Bangkok Metropolitan Police. Police decided not to use force to 
disperse protesters, concerned that if they used force against PAD 
supporters the army would use it as a pretext for a military coup.

After declaring victory by forcing the parliamentary session to be 
cancelled, PAD leaders directed protesters to besiege the temporary 
government office established at Don Muang international airport on 24 
November. They disrupted the government's attempt to hold a cabinet 
meeting at the headquarters of the Thai armed forces on 25 November. PAD 
supporters then occupied Bangkok's Suvarnabumi and Don Muang 
international airports, on November 25 and 27 respectively.

PAD leader Sonthi, who did not sleep at the protest sites, broadcast a 
message on television and the internet on 28 November. He told PAD's 
armed guards and protesters that they should be willing to sacrifice 
their lives to defend their protest sites. "We will protect our 
strongholds," he said. "If we have to die, then so be it…Do not worry 
brothers and sisters…Shed your blood if that it is necessary...Our 
protest is righteous and constitutional...We will not open the gate to 
police. If they charge it and shoot at us, we will fire back."

"The PAD has been trying for months to provoke a violent police response 
to its protests in the express hope of triggering a military coup d'etat 
and bringing down this government," said Zarifi. "The PAD should 
understand that when it uses force, including firearms, to endanger 
lives not only of law enforcement officers but also of ordinary 
citizens, it cannot claim to be a peaceful movement."

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are demanding that The Thai 
government ensure that security forces adhere to international 
principles on crowd dispersal and the use of force, including using 
force only as a last resort and to the minimum extent necessary.

The organizations are also calling on PAD to refrain from abusing human 
rights, including the right to life and freedom of movement, and to 
refrain from obstructing government actions aimed at protecting human 
rights.






http://www.bt.com.bn/en/asia_news/2008/12/31/protests_force_new_thai_pm_to_change_venue_of_maiden_speech

Protests force new Thai PM to change venue of maiden speech

Tough task: Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva smiles before a 
news conference at the Democrat Party headquarter in Bangkok yesterday. 
Picture: Reuters
BANGKOK

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

THAILAND'S new prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave his inaugural 
policy speech yesterday, but only after protesters blockaded parliament 
for a second day and forced him to switch the venue.

The British-born leader, who was elected in a parliamentary vote about 
two weeks ago, instead addressed lawmakers at the foreign ministry as 
supporters of ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra showed no sign of 
budging.

Hundreds of riot police armed with shields made repeated efforts to 
create a path for MPs to enter parliament but more than 2,000 
red-shirted demonstrators calling for new elections refused to back down.

"My government will restore normalcy to the country and make Thailand 
victorious," the 44-year-old Abhisit said in his speech.

Abhisit said he wanted to heal Thailand's economic, social and political 
wounds after months of protests against the previous pro-Thaksin 
government, including the crippling occupation of Bangkok's airports 
earlier this month.

"The urgent measures in the first year are restoring confidence and 
stimulating the economy," he added.

The opposition boycotted the speech, while about 1,000 flag-waving 
demonstrators moved from parliament to block the gates of the foreign 
ministry to stop lawmakers from leaving, before organisers called them off.

"We are going back to parliament to plot out decisive action. This 
government lacks legitimacy and is unconstitutional," core organiser 
Suporn Atthawong told the crowd at the ministry.

Loyalists of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, say Abhisit's 
government is not legitimate as he came to power after the 
Thaksin-linked former ruling party was dissolved by a court this month 
in a vote fraud case.

The election of the Oxford-educated Abhisit ended six months of 
increasingly disruptive protests by anti-Thaksin group the People's 
Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which peaked with the airport blockade.

The week-long closure of the airports in November and early December 
caused massive economic damage and hurt the country's vital tourism 
industry.

Under the constitution, a new prime minister must give a speech 
outlining policy before his government can start work, and Abhisit said 
he would try to win back tourists put off by the airport chaos, which 
drew worldwide attention.

"The government will restore the confidence of foreign tourists and 
speed measures to stimulate tourism and investment," he said, as well as 
promising stimulus measures for exports, agriculture and industry.

Abhisit's own foreign minister played a leading role in the airport 
blockade, further angering Thaksin supporters and causing concern in 
diplomatic circles.

Supporters of Thaksin said the dissolution of the PPP on December 2 was 
a "disguised coup" and want parliament dissolved. Elections are not due 
until 2011.AFP






http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28443520/

Thailand anti-government protests suspended
New administration succeeds in delivering vital policy speech

AP
Protests turn violent in Thailand
April 13: Dozens of people are injured as anti-government protesters 
clash with police in Thailand. MSNBC's Monica Novotny reports.

updated 1:12 a.m. ET Dec. 31, 2008
BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand's year of almost relentless protests ended 
on New Year's Eve, bringing hopes of calmer political waters in 2009 as 
seemingly weakened demonstrators suspended their siege of Parliament.
Thousands of loyalists of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra 
walked away from protest sites late Tuesday after the new government 
outwitted them and succeeded in delivering a vital policy speech which 
the demonstrators had tried to prevent by surrounding the Parliament 
building.
Instead, the lawmakers gathered quickly at the Foreign Ministry for the 
policy declaration before the protesters had a chance to react effectively.
Story continues below ↓
________________________________________
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________________________________________
"We'll have a small party tonight and disperse after midnight so that we 
can take time to celebrate the New Year festival," a protest leader, 
Veera Musigapong, said Tuesday night.
Fed up with both sides
Thailand has been rocked by protests by rival groups of demonstrators 
who either support or oppose Thaksin, once one of the country's richest 
men, who now lives in self-imposed exile after being forced from office 
in a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption.
Many Thais appear fed up with both camps after seeing their pocketbooks 
badly hurt by the upheaval, which wrecked the country's vital tourism 
industry after anti-Thaksin protesters seized Bangkok's two airports for 
a week.
In a New Year's message, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called on all 
people to settle their differences in the coming year.
"Today is the last day of a year which brought great concern to 
everyone. I'd like all those worries to pass with the year and let us 
start a new one with hope. Let's make our wish come true," he said.
Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders indicated they would renew their 
pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New 
Year's holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the 
movement's sails.
Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled 
that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and 
entertainment during rallies.
It is common practice in Thailand by all sides to beef up their 
demonstrations by paying anyone willing to join in. Free food and live 
music are also often offered.
Delayed speech
Abhisit, Thailand's third prime minister in four months, promised in his 
policy speech Tuesday to heal the country's deep rifts and restore its 
international image.
He was forced to delay his speech by a day because of the 
anti-government protesters outside Parliament — the same street-swamping 
tactics that anti-Thaksin protesters had used before he came to power 
two weeks ago.
Abhisit was formally named prime minister Dec. 17 in a step that many 
hoped would bring peace.
But on Monday, thousands of Thaksin loyalists, who call themselves the 
Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, vowed to surround Parliament 
until new general elections are called.
The alliance — also known as the "red shirts" because of their clothes — 
is an eclectic mix of Thaksin loyalists, farmers and urban laborers.
They have demanded the new government dissolve the legislature and call 
general elections, which they believe the pro-Thaksin camp would win 
easily because of its strong rural base.
Abhisit's Democrat Party, which had been in opposition since 2001, heads 
a coalition that some analysts doubt is strong enough to last until the 
next scheduled general elections in 2011. But there is some optimism 
that it may remain in power long enough to restore some stability to the 
country.





http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2009/01/01/2003432560

Break in Thai protests brings hope of calm
LOSING STEAM?: After being outwitted by the government, the activists 
said they would renew their protests, probably during the ASEAN summit
AP , BANGKOK
Thursday, Jan 01, 2009, Page 5
Anti-government protesters yesterday vowed to renew demonstrations that 
have plagued Thailand over the past year after taking a break for the 
New Year holidays.
But after a year of almost relentless protests, some hope emerged for 
calmer political waters this year as seemingly weakened demonstrators 
suspended their siege of parliament.

Thousands of loyalists of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra 
walked away from protest sites in Bangkok late on Tuesday after the new 
government outwitted them and succeeded in delivering a vital policy 
speech that the demonstrators had tried to prevent by surrounding the 
parliament building.

Instead, the lawmakers gathered quickly at the foreign ministry for the 
policy declaration before the protesters had a chance to react effectively.

“We’ll have a small party tonight and disperse after midnight so that we 
can take time to celebrate the New Year festival,” a protest leader, 
Veera Musigapong, said on Tuesday night.

Yesterday, another leader, Nuttawut Saikua, said demonstrators would 
probably target the ASEAN summit, which Thailand is hosting, probably 
late next month.

Thailand has been rocked by protests by rival groups of demonstrators 
who either support or oppose Thaksin, once one of the country’s richest 
men, who now lives in self-imposed exile after being forced from office 
in a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption.

Many Thais appear fed up with both camps after seeing their pocketbooks 
badly hurt by the upheaval, which wrecked the country’s vital tourism 
industry after anti-Thaksin protesters seized Bangkok’s two airports for 
a week.

In a New Year’s message, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called on 
all people to settle their differences in the coming year.

“Today is the last day of a year which brought great concern to 
everyone. I’d like all those worries to pass with the year and let us 
start a new one with hope. Let’s make our wish come true,” he said.

Abhisit said he was not surprised that Thaksin wanted to return to 
Thailand to lead the country, but he would first have to face the 
courts, which have convicted him on corruption charges. He is also 
banned from holding political office for five years.

Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders said they would renew their 
pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New 
Year’s holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the 
movement’s sails.

Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled 
that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and 
entertainment during rallies.

It is common practice in Thailand by all sides to beef up their 
demonstrations by paying anyone willing to join in. Free food and live 
music are also often offered.

The prime minister was reacting to Thaksin’s recent statement that he 
wanted to return to Thailand to bring back confidence to the country and 
help its poor. But he told the CEO Middle East magazine that he would 
first need to receive a pardon from King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Although pro-Thaksin protest leaders said they would renew their 
pressure on the government sometime after the five-day national New 
Year’s holiday, some wind appears to have been taken out of the 
movement’s sails.

Its numbers have decreased in recent days and some participants grumbled 
that organizers were not paying them enough or providing free food and 
entertainment during rallies.

It is common practice in Thailand by all sides to beef up their 
demonstrations by paying anyone willing to join in. Free food and live 
music are also often offered.

<>>>>NOS UB

Abhisit, Thailand’s third prime minister in four months, promised in his 
policy speech on Tuesday to heal the country’s deep rifts and restore 
its international image.

He was forced to delay his speech by a day because of the 
anti-government protesters outside Parliament _ the same street-swamping 
tactics that anti-Thaksin protesters had used before he came to power 
two weeks ago.

Abhisit was formally named prime minister Dec. 17 in a step that many 
hoped would bring peace.

But on Monday, thousands of Thaksin loyalists, who call themselves the 
Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, vowed to surround Parliament 
until new general elections are called.

The alliance _ also known as the “red shirts” because of their clothes _ 
is an eclectic mix of Thaksin loyalists, farmers and urban laborers.

They have demanded the new government dissolve the legislature and call 
general elections, which they believe the pro-Thaksin camp would win 
easily because of its strong rural base.

Abhisit’s Democrat Party, which had been in opposition since 2001, heads 
a coalition that some analysts doubt is strong enough to last until the 
next scheduled general elections in 2011. But there is some optimism 
that it may remain in power long enough to restore some stability to the 
country.






http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/world/asia/thaksin-supporters-continue-bangkok-protest-14123308.html?r=RSS

Thaksin supporters continue Bangkok protest
Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Supporter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra are 
continuing to surround the country's parliament today as part of a 
campaign calling for new elections.
The Bangkok demonstration, which began yesterday, has already forced the 
new government to change the venue of a key policy speech.
The government was only sworn in after massive protests that succeeded 
in removing Thaksin's allies from power earlier this month.
The former Prime Minister was ousted from power in a military coup two 
years ago and fled Thailand earlier this year just before being 
convicted of corruption.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30092204/Red-shirted-protesters-to-disperse-Tuesday-night

Red-shirted protesters to disperse Tuesday night

Veera Musigapong, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against 
Dictatorship, announced Tuesday that the red-shirted protesters would 
disperse from in front of Parliament Tuesday night.

He said the DAAD would hold more rallies against the government after 
New Year holidays.

The Nation






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/30/national/national_30092198.php

Vajira hospital denies claim it refused to treat red shirt protesters
By The Nation

Vachira Hospital on Tuesday dismissed as misunderstanding a report that 
its doctors refused to treat sick red shirt protesters.
Hospital director Dr Chaiwan Charoenchoktawee said the report was untrue.
Red shirt protesters who are loyal to fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra 
have blocked all access to parliament on Monday to prevent government of 
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering policy statements.
The government has to shift meeting venue from parliament to Foreign 
Ministry because of the protest. Upon learning the change of venue, 
protesters moved to surround the ministry. Some protesters were injured 
during the push with police.
The director was speaking after a speaker of the protest spoke on stage 
that doctors at Vachira Hospital refused to treat the protesters. Hosts 
of community radio stations which allied with the protesters repeated 
the claims during their programmes.
Chaiwan said nine red shirt protesters, mostly women, came to the 
hospital, asking treatment for having fatigue. Doctors then checked 
their heartbeats and x-rayed for some.
Doctors said their fatigues were caused by lacking of sleeps for long 
time. They were given medication and one of them had to stay at the 
hospital. "Our information showed our doctors treated them. Their claims 
that they were refused was groundless," he said.
"During the treatment, a sick female protester said that she has gold 
health care card which allowed her to receive free service from the 
hospital. She failed to show required documents to claim the free 
service. But our doctors compromised by not asking for the documents," 
he said.
The director doubted that the claim that his doctors refused to treat 
the protesters may stem from the incident.#





http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/thailand/2008/12/30/189782/Protesters-ring.htm

December 30, 2008 5:12 pm TWN, By DENIS D. GRAY, AP
Thai PM says his goal is to heal political divide
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Anti-government protesters abandoned their siege of 
Thailand's Foreign Ministry building on Tuesday, easing a standoff that 
threatened to reignite a long-running political crisis.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Cabinet then left the building, 
where he had earlier given a key policy address in which he vowed to 
jump-start Thailand's economy, heal its political divisions and repair 
its tattered image.
"The government has come into office at a time of conflict. This 
conflict has become the weakness of the country," he told lawmakers that 
included only his coalition members. Opposition members boycotted the 
session.
"Meanwhile, the global economic crisis has turned the situation from bad 
to worse," he continued. "Our government's priorities are reviving the 
ailing economy and solving the conflicts between groups in Thai society."
The protesters calling themselves the Democratic Alliance against 
Dictatorship have vowed to ring the Parliament building until their 
demands for new general elections are met, forced the government to 
abandon plans Monday to deliver its policy speech. The government said 
it would try to peacefully end the blockade.
The standoff comes less than a month after the last government was 
forced from office following six months of demonstrations that 
culminated in the eight-day seizure of Bangkok's two main airports. The 
earlier protesters had been part of an alliance opposed to ousted Prime 
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The latest demonstration was peaceful except for some brief scuffles 
between protesters and police Tuesday. But analysts say the continuing 
upheavals will further batter Thailand's virtually moribund tourist 
industry and other economic sectors.
"We will keep negotiating and mediating," Abhisit said of efforts to end 
the latest political crisis.
The third prime minister in four months, Abhisit was formally named 
prime minister Dec. 17 in what many hoped would be the end of months of 
turbulent, sometimes violent, protests. However, his party - which had 
been in opposition since 2001 - heads a coalition that some analysts 
doubt is strong enough to last until the next general election in 2011.
"There's no confidence among tourists who want to visit Thailand," said 
Prakit Chinamourphong, president of the Thai Hotel Association. "I just 
want to see a peaceful country without demonstrations so that the 
tourists will come back to Thailand again."
The Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship - also known as the "red 
shirts" because of their attire - is an eclectic mix of Thaksin 
loyalists, farmers from the countryside as well as laborers from the 
cities including the capital Bangkok.
Thaksin, once one of the country's richest men, was ousted in a 2006 
coup and remains in self-imposed exile.
Several thousand of his supporters converged Monday on the street 
leading to Parliament, clapping and cheering as singers and protest 
leaders chastised the incoming government.
"We are here for democracy," said Narumol Thanakarnpanich, a 53-year-old 
university professor from Bangkok. "We want a new government."
They have demanded the new government dissolve the legislature and call 
general elections, which they believe would be won easily by the 
pro-Thaksin camp because of its strong rural support base.
The scene was reminiscent of the last round of protests, when 
yellow-shirted protesters opposed to Thaksin first took over the prime 
minister's residence and the airports. That group is aligned with 
Thailand's educated elite who viewed Thaksin's six years in power as 
deeply corrupt and a threat to their interests.
The sit-ins staged by both sides have shared the same relaxed festival 
feel, with security forces largely leaving the protesters alone.
Thailand's government was forced to change the venue of its key policy 
speech Tuesday as thousands of demonstrators loyal to Thaksin surrounded 
Parliament, extending months of political turmoil.





http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/29/thailand.pm/index.html?eref=rss_world

December 30, 2008 -- Updated 0652 GMT (1452 HKT)

BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva 
delivered the first policy speech of his term Tuesday despite the 
blockade of Parliament by thousands of supporters of Thailand's former 
premier.

Backers of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra protest at Parliament in 
Bangkok on Monday.

The protesters had kept Abhisit and his ministers out of the Parliament 
building and forced the delay of his speech since Monday.
Abhisit delivered the constitutionally-required speech from the foreign 
ministry. He focused on improving the nation's economy, promoting 
tourism and dealing with Thailand's troubled southern provinces.
The Thai constitution requires an incoming prime minister to address 
parliament with a formal policy speech within 15 days of taking office.
Abhisit has until January 7 to fulfill the obligation, although the 
government can request an extension. The constitution does not specify 
where the prime minister must deliver the speech.
Abhisit said negotiations with the protesters were ongoing and that he 
would not authorize violence or a special law to deal with the 
demonstrations.
"The government will not use force to disperse the demonstrators. We 
will continue to negotiate. What has happened today will not affect the 
government's plans," he said, according to the Thai News Agency.
Abhisit's supporters, also numbering in the thousands, gathered outside 
his Democrat Party headquarters in Bangkok in a show of solidarity.
The Parliament named the 44-year-old, Oxford-educated Abhisit as prime 
minister on December 17 after some members of the former ruling 
coalition broke ranks to support him.
But his accession was met with angry protests by supporters of former 
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who threw rocks and chunks of 
pavement at lawmakers leaving the session.
Thailand's recent woes date back to a 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin. 
They culminated with a December 2 court ruling that found the ruling 
party -- former Thaksin backers -- guilty of electoral fraud and threw 
his brother-in-law out of the prime minister's office.
That ruling came after more than two months of sit-ins by opponents of 
the ruling People Power Party, which regained office in 2007 elections.
Demonstrators occupied the headquarters of the government and blockaded 
Bangkok's major international airport, stranding hundreds of thousands 
of tourists who provide much of the country's revenue.

Abhisit has pledged to work toward an economic rescue for Thailand, 
which teeters on the edge of recession.
Since the 2007 elections ended 16 months of military rule, the country 
has had three prime ministers.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30092169/Tussle-occurs-between-protesters,-police

Tussle occurs between protesters, police

A tussle occurred at the Thewarit Gate of Parliament at 7:45 am when 
red-shirted protesters prevented police from pushing open the gate from 
the inside of Parliament

A few women fainted during the tussle.

The protesters managed to keep the gate closed.

The Nation







http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=162650

Pro-Thaksin protesters ring Thai Parliament

Supporters of former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra hold a banner during a 
protest against the government outside Parliament in Bangkok on Monday.
Thousands of supporters of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra ringed Thailand’s Parliament on Monday, vowing to remain 
until the new government dissolves the legislature and calls general 
elections.

The demonstrators dared lawmakers to pass through their ranks to deliver 
a mandated speech outlining the government’s key policies.
“If they (lawmakers) want to go in, they have to walk through us, 
including the prime minister,” one of the protest leaders, Chatuporn 
Prompan, told reporters outside the Parliament compound where 
demonstrators spent the night.
The demonstration sparked fears of renewed political turbulence, which 
paralyzed the previous government for months and climaxed with an 
eight-day seizure of Bangkok’s airports. But the earlier protesters had 
been part of an anti-Thaksin alliance. The latest round of protests 
could further batter the nearly moribund tourism industry, the country’s 
no. 1 foreign currency earner, along with other economic sectors.
The current protest group -- which calls itself the Democratic Alliance 
against Dictatorship -- said it would stay at Parliament until the 
government calls a snap election. The group had previously planned to 
stay for three days. “We will celebrate New Year at Parliament,” 
Chatuporn said.
The alliance has at least temporarily disrupted the government’s plan to 
announce its policies, which by law it must do by Jan. 7. But legal 
experts say the government could argue for an extension because of the 
political turbulence. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said if 
the announcement could not be delivered Monday, attempts would be made 
to enter Parliament in the coming days -- but through negotiations and 
not the use of force. “We wish to deliver the policy statements before 
the end of the year,” he said.
The protesters -- dubbed the “red shirts” for their protest attire -- 
say new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Democrat Party came to 
power this month through a virtual coup d’etat. The court ruling that 
dissolved the previous government -- which was packed with Thaksin 
allies -- and led to Abhisit’s selection as prime minister came under 
pressure from the military and other powerful forces, the group says.
Several thousand protesters Monday camped out on the street leading to 
Parliament, clapping and cheering as singers and protest leaders 
chastised the incoming government. Many wore red T-shirts with the 
slogan “Truth Today” and carried signs that described Abhisit as a 
dictator. “We are here for democracy,” said Narumol Thanakarn-panich, a 
53-year-old university professor from Bangkok. “We want a new government.”

30 December 2008, Tuesday

AP BANGKOK







http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/29/headlines/headlines_30092088.php

No use of force on red shirt protesters : Suthep
By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reiterated Monday that he is 
ready to talk to core leaders of the red shirt protesters who blocked 
access to the Parliament.

His government has policy to use forces against red shirt protesters who 
blocked access to the Parliament.
"I am ready to talk to the protesters' core leaders if they want to. We 
will use negotiation to end the chaos, not the use of forces," Suthep said.
Suthep was speaking after chairing an urgent meeting with Police chief 
Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan and City police chief Pol Lt Gen Suchart 
Muenkaew.
House speaker Chai Chidchob announed to delay the government policy 
debate from 9.30am to 2pm after the red shirt protesters besieged the 
Parliament to put pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to 
dissolve the Parliament or call for general election.
Suthep quoted Patcharawat as saying that the number of the protesters in 
front of the Parliament has reduced to about 3,000 to 4,000, compared to 
this morning.
Suthep said the policy debate will be delayed further if it could not be 
held this afternoon at 2pm, to 7pm or 8pm tonight and to tomorrow 
morning and to December 31 and January 1, if the government cannot 
acquire passage to the Parliament.
"We wish to deliver the policy statements before the end of this year," 
Suthep said.





http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2008/12/30/124386959abc

New PM's speech deferred after protests
Updated at 6:03am on 30 December 2008
Protestors in Thailand have surrounded parliament, forcing the new prime 
minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, to postpone his maiden speech.
The demonstrators, loyal to the ousted former prime minister, say they 
will continue their blockade until Mr Abhisit resigns.
Talks on Monday failed to end the latest events in Thailand's 
long-running political crisis.
The speech to outline the government's plans has now been deferred to 
Tuesday.
Thailand has seen four prime ministers this year and months of street 
protests, including a week-long blockade of Bangkok's main airports.
The political impasse began in 2006 when former leader Thaksin 
Shinawatra was removed in a coup.
Supporters of the exiled billionaire accuse Mr Abhisit of "stealing" power.
The previous government, led by Mr Thaksin's brother-in-law, was forced 
out after a court disbanded three parties for fraud in a December 2007 poll.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/30/politics/politics_30092150.php

Politicians who support red shirt protesters warned
By The Nation
Published on December 30, 2008

Democrat Party adviser Banyat Bantadtan yesterday urged politicians who 
back the anti-government protesters to think of the country's interest 
first.
Supporting the anti-government rally, he said, would create negative 
consequences for them in the long term.
Banyat said Thai people regarded the red-shirts' blocking of the 
government from delivering its policy statement with uneasiness. They 
wanted political problems to go away so the government could salvage the 
country from economic crisis.
"The business sector has called for us to switch political camps because 
they do not want the country to sink deeper in economic meltdown,'' he said.
He was optimistic the anti-government rally would die down because 
society had learned the lesson over the past two years that social and 
political divisions only hurt the country.
"Politicians who want to continue working in the political arena in the 
long term should realise that repeating the same political tactic would 
only bring negative results to them,'' he said.
Banyat expected the government would be able to deliver a policy 
statement by January 7.
Meanwhile Pheu Thai Party party-list MP Chalerm Yoobamrung said the 
red-shirts besieged Parliament because they were resentful that the 
Democrat-led government was formed without legitimacy.
He proposed the government dissolve the House and both sides, the 
red-shirts and the yellow-shirts (the People's Alliance for Democracy), 
sign a pact that after the general election, whoever wins the majority 
votes should form a government. "Both must not stage any more rallies so 
the country can move forward,'' he said.
He said he was not behind the demonstration of the red-shirts so he 
could not stop them from rallying.
Chalerm said if the Pheu Thai Party issued a resolution for the MPs to 
not attend the delivery of the policy statement by the government, he 
would abide by the resolution, though he would like to take the House 
floor to grill the government over its policies.





http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/12/29/thai-demonstration.html

Thai protesters dare lawmakers to enter surrounded parliament
Last Updated: Monday, December 29, 2008 | 11:45 AM ET Comments3Recommend11
CBC News
Thai protesters chant slogans during a protest outside parliament Monday 
in Bangkok. (Sakchai Lalit/Associated Press)
Thousands of demonstrators surrounded Thailand's parliament Monday, 
demanding the new government dissolve the legislature and call general 
elections on the same day it was scheduled to deliver its first policy 
speech.
Calling themselves the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, the 
protesters have threatened to occupy the grounds of parliament until an 
election is called.
"If they [lawmakers] want to go in, they have to walk through us, 
including the prime minister," one of the protest leaders, Chatuporn 
Prompan, told reporters outside the parliament compound where 
demonstrators spent the night.
The government has agreed to postpone its policy address until Tuesday 
or Wednesday, newly appointed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said 
Monday, in an attempt to avoid the kinds of demonstrations that crippled 
parts of the country last month.
"We will keep negotiating and mediating," Abhisit said. "I beg everyone, 
including all the lawmakers and officials, to dedicate our holiday for 
the country in order to move our country forward."
Abhisit, 44, was voted to power by the country's parliament earlier this 
month after the People's Power Party was ousted by a court ruling that 
found it guilty of electoral fraud in last year's elections. Abhisit is 
the first opponent of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to take power 
since 2006.
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra, demonstrate against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva outside 
parliament on Monday. (Sakchai Lalit/Associated Press)
Largely Thaksin supporters, demonstrators on Monday accused Abhisit and 
his Democrat Party of seizing power through a kind of coup d'etat, 
saying the court ruling was delivered under pressure from the military 
and other powerful forces.
"We are here for democracy," said Narumol Thanakarnpanich, 53, a 
university professor from Bangkok. "We want a new government."
Turmoil feared
The demonstration has raised fears Thailand could once again descend 
into the kind of turmoil that gripped the country at the end of 
November, when anti-Thaskin protesters, angry at the exiled former 
leader's perceived influence in the PPP, stormed the country's largest 
airport in an eight-day siege.
Thaksin was overthrown by a coup in 2006, and has since lived in 
self-imposed exile, appearing most recently in Bali. A Thai court in 
October convicted the former prime minister in absentia of violating a 
conflict-of-interest law while in office and sentenced him to two years 
in prison.
Abhisit's new government is required by law to announce its policies by 
Jan. 7, although some legal experts suggested the government could lobby 
for an extension because of the protests.
Lawmakers will attempt to enter the parliament in the days to come by 
negotiating with demonstrators and not through the use of force, Deputy 
Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said.
"We wish to deliver the policy statements before the end of the year," 
he said.
Two people died and hundreds were injured during street clashes between 
police and protesters —many of whom had taken over the prime minister's 
residence — outside parliament in October.





http://news.scotsman.com/world/Parliament-delayed-by-protest.4826949.jp

Parliament delayed by protest

Published Date: 29 December 2008
THOUSANDS of supporters of exiled former prime minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra surrounded Thailand's parliament today, daring MPs to pass 
through for a speech outlining the new government's key policies.
Only a handful of opposition MPs entered the building in Bangkok, so the 
morning opening of the legislature was postponed.






http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/29/thailand-protests-parliament

Thai parliament under new blockade
Thaksin supporters dismiss legitimacy of new PM appointed after airport 
protests and call for snap election
• David Batty and agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 29 December 2008 10.09 GMT

A Thaksin supporter outside the Thai parliament. Photograph: Christophe 
Archambault/AFP/Getty
Thousands of supporters of the exiled former Thai prime minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra surrounded the country's parliament today, vowing to remain 
until the government calls a general election.
The demonstrators forced the new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, to 
delay a speech outlining the new administration's key policies.
"If they want to go in they have to walk through us, including the prime 
minister," said one of the protest leaders, Chatuporn Prompan.
The protest threatens to renew political turbulence that paralysed the 
previous government for months and climaxed in an eight-day occupation 
of Bangkok's airports.
The protest group, which calls itself the Democratic Alliance Against 
Dictatorship, said it would stay at the parliament until the government 
called a snap election. The group had previously planned to stay for 
three days.
"We will celebrate New Year at parliament," Chatuporn said.
The alliance has at least temporarily disrupted the government's plan to 
announce its policies, which by law it must do by 7 January.
The deputy prime minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, said if the announcement 
could not be delivered today attempts would be made to enter parliament 
in the next few days, but through negotiation rather than force.
"We wish to deliver the policy statements before the end of the year," 
he said.
The protesters, dubbed the "red shirts" for their protest attire, say 
Abhisit and his Democrat party came to power this month through a 
virtual coup d'etat.
The court ruling that dissolved the previous government, packed with 
Thaksin allies, was made under pressure from the military and monarchist 
forces, the group says.
Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in September 2006 after being 
accused of corruption and abuse of power.
"We are here for democracy," said Narumol Thanakarnpanich, a 53-year-old 
university professor from Bangkok. "We want a new government."
Abhisit, the nation's third prime minister in four months, vowed in his 
inaugural address to reunite the deeply divided nation and restore 
Thailand's tourist-friendly image. The eight-day airport shutdown 
battered the country's essential tourism industry and stranded more than 
300,000 travellers.





http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90783/91321/6564026.html

December 29, 2008

Thaksin's supporters wave flag to protest
Page 1 of 4

A supporter holds a portrait of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra 
during a protest against the government outside Parliament in Bangkok 
December 29, 2008. Hundreds of protesters rallied against Thailand's new 
government in central Bangkok on Monday, hours before Prime Minister 
Abhisit Vejjajiva was due to make his maiden policy speech to 
parliament.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)







http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081229-180447/Thai-protesters-block-parliament

AHEAD OF PM SPEECH
Thai protesters block parliament
By Thanaporn Promyamyai
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 10:21:00 12/29/2008

Filed Under: Bangkok Crisis
BANGKOK--Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters Monday closed off 
roads in front of parliament in Bangkok, where new prime minister 
Abhisit Vejjajiva was expected to deliver his maiden policy speech.
Police said 9,000 red-shirted demonstrators loyal to former premier 
Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 coup, moved to parliament 
overnight after gathering on Sunday night at a city center parade ground.
Protesters surrounded the entrances to parliament early Monday and vowed 
to stay there until the resignation of Abhisit, who won a parliamentary 
vote two weeks ago after a court dissolved the previous, pro-Thaksin 
government.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government had no 
immediate plans to change the venue of the speech but would make a final 
decision on the situation soon.
"If the meeting cannot start in the morning, we'll move to this evening 
or tomorrow," he told Thai television, adding that it was possible but 
unlikely it could be postponed into the new year.
Nattawut Saikuar, a core organizer of the pro-Thaksin protests, said the 
demonstrators would not stop the prime minister or his cabinet from 
walking to parliament for the speech.
"We want to make it clear that we reject the prime minister's route to 
power," he said.
"We will open one lane for the prime minister and cabinet members to 
walk into parliament. We will do nothing when they walk, apart from 
asking them to return our sovereign power," Nattawut added.
The protests have brought Thai politics full circle after a year of 
upheaval, with Thaksin loyalists using the same tactics that helped 
rival demonstrators to bring down a government led by the tycoon's allies.
Oxford-educated Abhisit, the head of the Democrat Party, won the 
parliamentary vote to become prime minister less than two weeks after a 
court dissolved the former ruling People Power Party that was loyal to 
Thaksin.
That verdict followed months of protests by the royalist People's 
Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a yellow-clad anti-Thaksin group that 
blockaded Bangkok's airports earlier this month, causing huge damage to 
the economy.
The PAD accused the previous government of being a corrupt proxy for 
Thaksin.
Thaksin is living in self-imposed exile to avoid a jail sentence for 
corruption in Thailand but has made a series of telephone speeches to 
protests in recent weeks.
Abhisit told AFP last week he had ordered police to avoid a repeat of 
clashes at parliament on October 7, when the PAD tried to stop 
then-premier Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, delivering his 
policy speech.
The violence left two people dead and 500 wounded.
The protests come as Abhisit -- Thailand's third premier in four months 
-- faces a raft of problems, ranging from Thailand's stuttering economy 
to the enormous divide between pro- and anti-Thaksin forces.
He has vowed a "grand plan of reconciliation" and a 300 billion baht 
($8.6 billion) economic stimulus package , but caused controversy by 
appointing a vocal supporter of the PAD's airport blockade as his 
foreign minister.
Twice-elected Thaksin is still loathed by the Bangkok-based elite in the 
military, palace and bureaucracy, who backed the PAD and see Thaksin as 
corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to their traditional power base.
But his populist policies won him huge support among the urban and rural 
poor, especially in his native north and northeast, from where many of 
Sunday's protesters hailed.





http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=iafp081229020420.svdlen06p1&show_article=1

Supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra protest at 
Sanam Luang in Bangkok

Supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra protest at 
Sanam Luang in Bangkok. Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters 
Monday closed off roads in front of parliament in Bangkok, where new 
prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was expected to deliver his maiden 
policy speech.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30092082/Jakrapob-says-protest-to-continue-for-at-least-3-days

Jakrapob says protest to continue for at least 3 days

Jakrapob Penkair, a leader of the red-shirted protesters, said Monday 
morning that the besieging of the Parliament would continue for at least 
three days.

Giving an interview to NBT live, Jakrapob said the protesters would not 
allow Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to deliver the policy statement 
until he first meets the protesters who questioned his legitimacy.

Jakrapob said if the government delays the debate, the protesters would 
continue to rally outside the Parliament for three days to wait for the 
government.

If the debate is postponed beyond the three-day period, the protest 
leaders would evaluate the situation and plan the next move, he said.

The Nation







http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6563122.html

Thailand's anti-government DAAD threatens to hold protests nationwide

14:30, December 28, 2008

Thailand's anti-government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship 
(DAAD) Saturday threatened to hold protests against Prime Minister 
Abhisit Vejjajiva nationwide, to pressure him to dissolve the House.

The threat was made at a press conference held by DAAD leaders, 
including Natthawut Saikua and Veera Musigapong.

They said Abhisit would face protests from red-shirted people everywhere 
he visits.

The protests were aimed to pressure the prime minister to dissolve the 
House to return the mandate to the people because the current government 
was established with a coup in disguise, they said.

Meanwhile, Parliament President Chai Chidchob Saturday expressed concern 
over a planned protest by DAAD protesters on Monday, saying the policy 
debate may be delayed if the situation spirals out of control.

The government will present its policy to Parliament on Monday and 
Tuesday (December 29-30).

Chai said he will monitor the situation minute by minute to consider 
whether the policy debate should be postponed or not.

He said he has not yet considered an alternative meeting venue.

Chai said he believes police will be able to control the situation.

Source: Xinhua






http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081228/FOREIGN/775015123/1002/rss

Thai police brace for new protests
• Last Updated: December 28. 2008 10:18AM UAE / December 28. 2008 6:18AM GMT
BANGKOK, THAILAND // More than 3,000 Thai police moved into position 
today to prevent a replay of mass demonstrations that virtually 
paralysed the government for months and climaxed with the eight-day 
seizure of the capital’s airports, local media said.

This time, it was supporters of the exiled former prime minister Thaksin 
Shinawatra – instead of his opponents – who planned to take to the streets.
Mr Thaksin’s followers were planning to marshal enough demonstrators to 
block the new government from delivering its policy statement at 
parliament early next week. The protest was scheduled to begin today.

Police units were being dispatched to cordon off the parliament building 
and a nearby field where the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance against 
Dictatorship was to gather, according to The Nation newspaper.
Yesterday, the alliance vowed to stage demonstrations nationwide unless 
the new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, dissolves parliament and 
holds new elections.

The group – dubbed the “red shirts” for their favoured protest attire – 
claim Mr Abhisit’s Democrat Party came to power this month through a 
virtual coup d’etat.

An Oxford-educated politician, Mr Abhisit, 44, was formally named prime 
minister on Dec 17 in what many hoped would be the end of months of 
turbulent, sometimes violent, protests that had their roots in a 2006 
military coup that toppled Mr Thaksin.

Mr Abhisit, the nation’s third prime minister in four months, vowed in 
his inaugural address to reunite the deeply divided nation and to 
restore Thailand’s tourist-friendly image.

The eight-day airport shutdown battered the country’s essential tourism 
industry and stranded more than 300,000 travellers.

Parliament voted to name Mr Abhisit prime minister after a court 
dissolved the party leading the previous government, which was packed 
with Mr Thaksin’s allies who now say the court move and subsequent 
government formation came under pressure from the military and other 
powerful forces.
Mr Abhisit’s Democrat Party had been in opposition since 2001, when Mr 
Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, first came to power in a 
landslide election. Military leaders ousted Thaksin in September 2006, 
accusing him of corruption, keeping him in exile and controlling the 
country for an interim period until new elections in December 2007 
brought Thaksin’s allies back into power.

He returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges but 
later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.
Thailand’s recent political convulsions began in August when 
anti-Thaksin protesters took over the seat of government to demand that 
his allies resign. Since then, a series of court rulings resulted in the 
ouster of two Thaksin-allied prime ministers.

In October, street clashes with police outside Parliament left two 
people dead and hundreds injured. Mr Thaksin and his supporters retain 
strong support in rural areas where they built up a political base, but 
are disliked by many of the educated elite who viewed his six years in 
power as deeply corrupt and a threat to their interests.
*AP





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/28/politics/politics_30092033.php

No use of force against red shirt protesters : PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday that police would not use 
force against protesters who have closed a road at Parliament to block 
his government from delivering policy statements.
Abhisit said demonstrators loyal to the United Front of Democracy 
against Dictatorship (UDD) have full rights under the charter to rally 
to put pressure on his government to dissolve the House of 
Representatives and call for a general election.
UDD have vowed to hold the three-day rally, starting Sunday, to pressure 
the coalition government under the ruling Democrat Party to quit.
Abhisit said he is determined to move forward to solve the country's 
economic problems and create harmony among the people.





http://www.nation.co.ke/News/world/-/1068/507688/-/se0j1i/-/index.html

Thai protesters rally ahead of PM’s maiden speech
Supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hold a banner 
during a protest against the government in Bangkok December 28, 2008. 
Photo/REUTERS
Posted Sunday, December 28 2008 at 16:38
BANGKOK, Sunday
Opponents of Thailand’s new government rallied in central Bangkok today 
and called for fresh elections, a day before Prime Minister Abhisit 
Vejjajiva is due to make his maiden policy speech to parliament.
Thousands of red-shirted supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, who was 
ousted in a coup in a 2006, massed near the Grand Palace, but their 
sights were set on parliament, which elected Abhisit prime minister two 
weeks ago.
“On Monday, we will definitely move to Parliament House,” Jatuporn 
Prompan, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship 
(Daad), told Reuters. “Our position is to put pressure on Abhisit to 
dissolve the lower house.”
But Jatuporn said the Daad had no plans to stop Abhisit from delivering 
his speech.
“We will not block government MPs from entering parliament,” Mr Jatuporn 
said.
“We will not cut off the electricity or water, either,” he added, 
referring to tactics used by a rival group whose street protests during 
Thailand’s three-year political crisis undermined Thaksin and his allies.
The previous government, led by Thaksin’s brother-in-law, had to step 
down after three parties in the ruling coalition were disbanded by the 
courts, which said they had committed vote fraud in a general election a 
year ago. (Reuters)





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/29/politics/politics_30092057.php

Red shirts get police nod for protests
By The Nation
Published on December 29, 2008

Police have emergency plan to take MPs into Parliament
Police yesterday gave the green light for antigovernment protesters to 
march to Parliament House where the Abhisit administration is due to 
deliver its first policy statement today.
"Police won't put up any barriers if they want to move to Parliament. 
But we want to ensure that there are no untoward incidents like what 
happened on October 7. We also hope protesters won't resort to violent 
means," deputy Metropolitan Police chief Maj Gen Pongsan Jiemon said.
About 20,000 redshirt protesters rallied at Bangkok's Sanam Laung. Later 
some of them headed to Parliament House.
Police have set up six checkpoints to keep tabs on the protesters' 
movements.
"We also have an emergency plan to get MPs into the Parliament building 
if the main and side entrances are sealed off by protesters," he said.
Jatuporn Promphun, a rally organiser, said their objective is to 
pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva into dissolving Parliament for 
a snap general election.
The Army will rely on its stand-by-in-barracks plan to cope with the 
rallies by redshirt demonstrators and will assist police in keeping the 
peace if asked, Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.
"Army chief General Anupong Paochinda is concerned about the situation 
which may have repercussions on the long holidays to welcome the New 
Year," he said.
Rally organisers have threatened to prevent ingress to Parliament House 
during the policy debate set for today and tomorrow.
By the military's assessment, police should be able to keep the 
situation under control and Parliament access would not be completely 
blocked, he said.
Rally organisers have already pledged to allow lawmakers to enter 
Parliament House, he said.
In case the protests turned rowdy, the military is ready to deploy 
soldiers from 17 companies to assist police with nonviolent crowd 
control measures.
First Army Region chief Lt General Kanit Sapitak said he anticipates no 
trouble from the protesters.
The staging of a political rally is normal and should not be a concern 
unless violence erupts, he said, adding he expects the red shirt crowds 
to remain peaceful.
Navy chief Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran said naval, military and police 
forces have been kept on alert to assist police if requested although he 
did not anticipate any chaos.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said authorities would maintain law and 
order so the people could celebrate New Year's without undue concern.
Abhisit said his deputy Suthep Thuagsuban, who is in charge of security 
affairs, has been closely monitoring the situation.
He also vowed not to resort to a violent crackdown on the red shirts.
Charter writer Prasong Soonsiri told a rally on Saturday night that 
there was no reason to oppose the Abhisit government as it had assumed 
office under rules sanctioned by the Constitution.
Redshirt crowds started their rally at Sanam Luang in the morning and 
vowed to march to Parliament House by the evening.
Leaders urged the crowds to sign up for text messages to be updated on 
antigovernment activities. They also dispatched a fleet of pickup trucks 
to air taped messages and invite supporters from around the capital to 
join the rally.
Jatuporn began making speeches to rouse the crowds at the main rally 
site at 4.30pm.
He vowed to keep up the protest for three days until tomorrow to oppose 
the Abhisit government, which he said had manipulated the political 
system to grab power.
The protests will be peaceful and not resort to underhanded tactics as 
adopted by the People's Alliance for Democracy, he said, referring to 
the PADled parliamentary blockade on October 7.
He said the crowds would disperse after tomorrow in order to welcome in 
the New Year.
About 200 red shirts began congregating at Uthong Nai Road, the main 
approach to Parliament House, in the evening.
They set up a stage to designate a satellite protest site after Sanam 
Luang.
About 3,400 police have been mobilised.
Deputy Metropolitan Police commissioner Maj General Amnuay Nimmano said 
police have distributed about 40,000 flyers warning against trespassing 
on parliamentary grounds.





http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20081228-180387/Thaksin-followers-begin-3-day-protest

Thaksin followers begin 3-day protest
By Denis Gray
Associated Press
First Posted 21:42:00 12/28/2008

Filed Under: Bangkok Crisis
BANGKOK--Thousands of supporters of Thailand's exiled former Prime 
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra prepared Sunday to converge on Parliament, 
sparking fears of a replay of the mass demonstrations that paralyzed the 
government for months and culminated in an eight-day seizure of the 
capital's airports.
This time, it was Thaksin loyalists instead of his opponents who took to 
the streets.
But the group--which calls itself the Democratic Alliance against 
Dictatorship--said it would not blockade Parliament on Monday as had 
earlier been feared.
"Yes, we will move to Parliament. But we will allow MPs to go in and out 
tomorrow," a protest leader, Korkaew Pikunthong, told The Associated Press.
The group has vowed to stage demonstrations nationwide unless Thailand's 
new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves Parliament and holds new 
elections. The alliance--dubbed the "red shirts" for their favored 
protest attire--says Abhisit's Democrat Party came to power this month 
through a virtual coup d'etat.
The group says the court ruling that dissolved the previous government, 
which was packed with Thaksin allies, and led to Abhisit's selection as 
prime minister came under pressure from the military and other powerful 
forces.
Police closed the gates of the Parliament building Sunday in 
anticipation of the demonstrations. The new government plans to deliver 
its policy statement to the legislature Monday and Tuesday.
Police lines were reinforced in an effort to cordon off the Parliament 
building and Sanam Luang, a field in the historic heart of the capital 
where the pro-Thaksin group gathered Sunday to hear speeches denouncing 
the government.
Abhisit told reporters that force would not be used against the 
demonstrators.
Earlier, police Maj. Gen. Amnuay Nimmano said police would avoid any 
clash with the protesters but that if the rally veered toward violence, 
its organizers should disperse the crowds.
Warong Dechgitvigrom, a spokesman for the ruling Democrat Party, said 
party representatives would go together to Parliament on Monday morning 
and if it was blocked they would return to party headquarters. He said 
the government did not plan to force its way into the building.
An Oxford-educated, 44-year-old politician, Abhisit was formally named 
prime minister Dec. 17 in what many hoped would be the end of months of 
turbulent, sometimes violent, protests that had their roots in a 2006 
military coup that toppled Thaksin.
Abhisit, the nation's third prime minister in four months, vowed in his 
inaugural address to reunite the deeply divided nation and to restore 
Thailand's tourist-friendly image. The eight-day airport shutdown 
battered the country's essential tourism industry and stranded more than 
300,000 travelers.
Abhisit's Democrat Party had been in opposition since 2001, when 
Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, first came to power in a 
landslide election.
Military leaders ousted Thaksin in September 2006, accusing him of 
corruption, keeping him in exile and controlling the country for an 
interim period until new elections in December 2007 brought Thaksin's 
allies back into power.
He returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges but 
later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.
Thailand's recent political convulsions began in August when 
anti-Thaksin protesters took over the seat of government to demand that 
Thaksin's allies resign. Since then, a series of court rulings resulted 
in the ouster of two Thaksin-allied prime ministers.
In October, street clashes with police outside Parliament left two 
people dead and hundreds injured.
Thaksin and his supporters retain strong support in rural areas where 
they built up a political base, but are disliked by many of the educated 
elite who viewed his six years in power as deeply corrupt and a threat 
to their interests.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30091874/Govt-closely-monitor-groups-of-protesters:-Abhisit

Govt closely monitor groups of protesters: Abhisit

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday expressed confidence that his 
government would be able to deliver its policy statement to Parliament 
on Monday.

He said the government is closely monitoring the situation after 
Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt Gen Suchart Muenkaew said an untoward 
incident could happen during the policy debate on Monday and Tuesday.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of 
security affairs, is closely monitoring all action groups.

He said the government would monitor and evaluate the situation until 
Sunday when pro-Thaskin red-shirted people plan a mass rally at Sanam Luang.

The Nation






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30091865.html

Police make preparations to cope with red-shirted protesters at Parliament
Some 30 policemen representing several agencies went to Parliament 
Thursday morning to study how to cope with possible besieging of the 
compound by protesters on Monday.

The officers from the 191 Task Force, border patrol and provincial 
police bureaus made an inspection inside and outside Parliament and made 
details maps of all gates.

The Parliament is scheduled to hold a debate on the government's 
policies on Monday and Tuesday.

The pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dicatorship plans a rally at 
Sanm Luang on Sunday and it is feared that the group would move its 
demonstrators to besiege Parliament on the following day.

The Nation








http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=iafp081217062453.ckcy6h0lp1&show_article=1

Thai protestors wave flags during a rally outside the Democrat Party 
headquarters in Bangkok

Thai protestors wave flags during a rally against Thailand's new prime 
minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Democrat Party headquarters in 
Bangkok. Thailand's new premier Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday promised 
to appoint a competent cabinet to lead the country out of crisis 
following months of protests.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30091948/Suthep-flees-from-red-shirted-protesters-in-Ubon-Ratchathani

Suthep flees from red-shirted protesters in Ubon Ratchathani

Ubon Ratchathani - Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban Friday had to 
flee from a hotel here after a group of red-shirted people demonstrated 
against him.

Suthep fled in a vehicle from the Lai Thong Hotel in Muang district at 
2:15 pm after some 50 protesters demonstrated in front of it.

The protesters were led by Thiraphat Watcharapol.

Suthep called at the hotel for lunch after he visited Pibul Mangsahan 
district.

When the protesters arrived, his security officers escorted Suthep to 
escape through the back door of the hotel.

Some protesters ran after his vehicle but failed to catch up.

The Nation






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30091990/DAAD-threatens-to-hold-protests-nationwide-against-Govt

DAAD threatens to hold protests nationwide against Govt
The pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship Saturday 
threatened to hold protests against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva 
nationwide, to pressure him to dissolve the House.

The threat was made at a press conference held by DAAD leaders, 
including Natthawut Saikua and Veera Musigapong.

They said Abhisit would face protests from red-shirted people everywhere 
he visits.

The protests were aimed to pressure the prime minister to dissolve the 
House to return the mandate to the people because the current government 
was established with a coup in disguise, they said.

The Nation





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30091989/Chai-concerned-over-protest-by-red-shirted-people

Chai concerned over protest by red-shirted people

Parliament President Chai Chidchob Saturday expressed concern over a 
planned protest by pro-Thaksin red-shirted protesters on Monday, saying 
the policy debate may be delayed if the situation spirals out of control.

He said he will monitor the situation minute by minute to consider 
whether weather the policy debate should be postponed or not.

He said he has not yet considered an alternative meeting venue.

Chai said he believes police will be able to control the situation.

The Nation





http://www.breitbart.com/image.php?id=iafp081217062453.ckcy6h0lp3&show_article=1

Thai policemen stand guard as taxi drivers protest against Thailand's 
new prime minister Abhisit

Thai policemen stand guard as taxi drivers protest against Thailand's 
new prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Democrat party in Bangkok on 
December 16. New Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva pledged Wednesday that 
his cabinet would tackle the kingdom's political and economic woes, as 
he awaited a royal order officially appointing him to the post.





http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1079383

Protesters decry Thailand’s new PM as ‘army nominee’
Chalathip Thirasoonthrakul, Reuters Published: Monday, December 15, 2008

BANGKOK -- Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva became Thailand's third 
prime minister in as many months Monday, taking control with a slender 
majority in parliament and an economy teetering on the brink of recession.
In a sign of the trouble in store for the British-born, Oxford-educated 
economist, 200 supporters of the government sacked by the courts two 
weeks ago blocked access to parliament after the vote and smashed 
windows of cars carrying MPs from his Democrat party.
Chanting "Abhisit, army nominee," the red-shirted demonstrators 
denounced the 44-year-old as a front man for the military, which ousted 
elected leader Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006 and which has been accused of 
political meddling ever since.
Mr. Abhisit was backed by 235 MPs against 198 for the former 
government's candidate, but his thin majority is likely to take a hit on 
Jan. 11 when byelections are held to replace 29 MPs fired in this 
month's court ruling.
Relying on small parties and a breakaway faction of the pro-Thaksin Puea 
Thai party, he will have little room for manoeuvre as the global 
slowdown and the recent blockade of Bangkok's airports by anti-Thaksin 
protesters hit the tourism- and export-driven economy.
"Very soon, the impact of the global economic crisis will be felt more 
seriously in Thailand. The new Prime Minister needs to prepare 
immediately for that," said Sompop Manarungsan of Bangkok's 
Chulalongkorn University said.
"There are no new bookings. You go to the hotels and they are empty," 
Luzi Matzig, managing director of travel agency Asian Trails, said of 
the double blow from the airport shutdowns and economic downturn. He 
said his December business in Thailand was down 50% from a year ago.
Mr. Abhisit declined to talk about policies after the vote, but said 
last week that reviving growth through increased government spending 
would be his top priority, although it remains to be seen where he will 
get the money from.
He has suggested there could be some reallocation of regional spending, 
but that would be sure to outrage voters in the populous north and 
northeast, where love of Mr. Thaksin and loathing of Mr. Abhisit run deep.
Nor is Mr. Thaksin completely out of the picture.
On Saturday, the telecom billionaire made a recorded video address to 
40,000 supporters at a Bangkok sports stadium, calling for national 
reconciliation after three years of turmoil and urging the military not 
to meddle in yesterday's parliamentary vote.
"May all sides take one step back and respect the results," he said.
"Please don't use any institution to intervene. Just let the country 
move forward. Don't make people suffer more."
His supporters have accused the military of launching a "silent coup" by 
claiming to have royal backing and pushing small parties in the previous 
government to form a Democrat-led government, a charge the army has denied.
Reuters





http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=613614

Protesters injure 4, damage scores of cars in reaction to PM vote
Posted: 2008/12/15
From: MNN

Disgruntled supporters of ousted, self-exiled former prime minister 
Thaksin Shinawatra threw plastic bottles into the Parliament grounds and 
dragged police barricades to block the intended departure of the 
lawmakers after the vote finished around 11 am.

BANGKOK, Dec 15 (TNA) – About a hundred red-shirted demonstrators 
blocked access to Parliament and threw bricks at vehicles belonging to 
departing members of parliament, following Monday morning's critical 
vote, injuring one journalist and three MPs in their cars and damaging 
30 vehicles after Democrat Party

leader Abhisit Vejjajiva won the vote as Thailand's new prime minister.

Disgruntled supporters of ousted, self-exiled former prime minister 
Thaksin Shinawatra threw plastic bottles into the Parliament grounds and 
dragged police barricades to block the intended departure of the 
lawmakers after the vote finished around 11 am.

Riot police negotiated with the protesters and were able to open exits 
for MPs to leave Parliament after a ten-minute altercation between the 
angry demonstrators and the authorities.

However, some protesters threw bricks pulled up from the footpaths at 
MPs vehicles, particularly from the Democrat Party.

Democrat MPs Peeraphan Saleeratwipak and Thana Cheerawinit as well as 
Puea Pandin MP Chaiyod Chiramethakorn were injured in the incident when 
their cars were attacked.

Meanwhile, some protesters kicked at vehicles of the MPs, and a bottle 
of liquid believed to be acid was thrown toward a group of red-shirted 
protesters, but no one was injured.

Protest leaders later told red-shirted group to disperse at Puea Thai MP 
Jatuporn Promphan's request for fear of any violence caused by a 
possible third party, so police could open traffic on Sukhothai Road.

Some protesters announced that they would gather at a community radio 
station in Soi Vibhavadi 3 and at Sanam Luang. #





http://www.bangkokpost.com/191208_News/19Dec2008_news06.php

Man arrested for car protest

A member of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) was 
arrested yesterday for throwing rocks at a limousine driven by a 
Democrat MP outside parliament on Monday.

Metal worker Chokchai Khamlue, 25, who was arrested and charged with 
throwing rocks at a vehicle driven by a Democrat MP outside parliament 
on Monday. Arrest warrants have also been issued for five other members 
of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship.
Chokchai Khamlue, 25, of Nakhon Phanom province, was caught by police 
near the UDD rally stage at Sanam Luang.
The suspect, a metal worker at a factory in Samut Prakan, is one of six 
red-clad protesters wanted on a court warrant for their involvement in 
the protest outside parliament.
Moments earlier, Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected 
prime minister.
The six suspects were captured on video footage throwing rocks at a 
Mercedes Benz driven by a Democrat MP.
Mr Chokchai confessed to throwing the rock in a fit of rage because he 
felt the previous coalition government led by the People Power party 
(PPP) was unfairly treated. He found the new coalition government led by 
the Democrat party unacceptable and he disliked the Democrats.
He insisted no one had paid him to join the protest.
He often took part in UDD rallies as he liked the PPP, which has been 
dissolved for electoral offences.
After Monday's protest, he attended the UDD rally at Sanam Luang without 
any knowledge that he was wanted by police, the suspect said.
Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muenkaew insisted 
police use the same standard to handle protests and their aftermath, 
whatever group organises them.





http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=95485&feedType=VideoRSS&feedName=TopNews&rpc=23&videoChannel=1&sp=true

Protests greet new Thai PM
(01:27) Report
Dec 15 - Thailand's opposition leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has been 
confirmed as the country's third Prime Minister in as many months.
The British-born Democratic Party leader narrowly defeated his rival, 
former police chief Pracha Promnok after winning a special vote in 
parliament.
But in a sign of the political turmoil gripping Thailand, angry 
supporters of the government sacked by the courts two weeks ago blocked 
access to parliament after the vote, attacking cars carrying MPs from 
his Democrat Party.
Helen Long reports.




http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/12/15/headlines/headlines_30091020.php

Red shirt protesters block access to Parliament

Red shirt protesters blocked access to the Parliament and threw stones 
at vehicles leaving the venue after Democrat Party leader Abhisit 
Vejjajiva won parliamentary votes to be new prime minister.
They also threw stones and objects into the Parliament compound, forcing 
officials and reporters to cover themselves.
A reporter was injured after a stone hit stone hit his nose. The stones 
and objects hit many vehicles, breaking their glasses and damaged them. 
An anti-riot police suffered head wound after an object hit his head.
More police were deployed to the area. Police failed to calm them down. 
They had to use police with shields to push them back from the entrance 
of the Parliament. Then vehicles were allowed to leave the compound.
The red shirt protesters were known for their supports of fugitive ex-PM 
Thaksin Shinawatra, now-defunct People Power Party and Pheu Thai party.
Latest reports said that many red shirt protesters organised protests in 
many provinces of Thailand, mostly in the northeastern region, to 
protest the victory of Abhisit.






http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/12/26/prosecution_vowed_in_thai_protest/

Prosecution vowed in Thai protest
December 26, 2008
BANGKOK - New Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed yesterday to 
take legal action against leaders of protesters whose weeklong 
occupation of two Bangkok airports has brought billions of dollars of 
losses to the economy. Abhisit, an Oxford-educated economist whose 
critics say his ruling Democrat Party has assumed power with help from 
the army and street protesters, said he had ordered police to arrest 
those lawbreaking protesters, though they were Democrat members.
"They have to proceed according to the law, and there will be no 
interference," British-born Abhisit, 44, said in an interview.
"I made it very clear even before that any [party members] who joined 
the protest would do so in their own capacity. They would not be allowed 
to use their . . . immunity privileges," he told Reuters.
Several Democrats were involved in the six-month-long street protest 
against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and two previous 
governments they called Thaksin's proxies, and one of them was a top 
campaign leader.
Abhisit said the Thai people regretted the recent blockade of Bangkok's 
main airports, which left 300,000 travelers stranded and badly damaged a 
key sector of an economy already reeling from slowing exports as a 
result of the global downturn. Some officials and analysts have said the 
travel chaos put a million jobs at risk, when the impact of the global 
slowdown is forcing layoffs in export industries.
Abhisit said the strict law enforcement regardless of political 
affiliation was part of his "grand plan of reconciliation" to heal the 
deep political rifts between supporters of Thaksin and his opponents. 
Admitting he will face opposition from voters in the countryside where 
Thaksin's populist policies of cheap healthcare and loans remain 
visible, he said he would try to prove he is everybody's prime minister.
REUTERS







http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/International/20-Dec-2008/New-Thai-foreign-minister-linked-to-airport-protesters

New Thai foreign minister linked to airport protesters
December 20, 2008
Thailand's new foreign minister was immediately under pressure on 
assuming the role Saturday, after lawmakers criticised his ties with 
protesters who hijacked the capital's airports. Kasit Piromya, a 
64-year-old graduate of Georgetown University, appeared at rallies 
organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which began an 
eight-day blockade of Suvarnabhumi airport last month. The airport 
closure left an estimated 350,000 people stranded, and new premier 
Abhisit Vejjajiva has since said protesters must be held legally 
accountable for their actions. The PAD, whose earlier demonstrations 
against Thaksin Shinawatra preceded his ouster in a coup in 2006, took 
to the streets in May, accusing the government of acting as a corrupt 
proxy for Thaksin.





http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/3885612/Bangkok-airport-protests-were-fun-says-Thailands-new-foreign-minister.html

Bangkok airport protests were fun, says Thailand's new foreign minister
Thailand's new foreign minister has described last month's hijacking of 
Bangkok's main international airport as "a lot of fun".

By Thomas Bell in Bangkok
Last Updated: 8:09PM GMT 21 Dec 2008
Kasit Piromya, 64, will be sworn in on Monday as Thailand's new foreign 
minister. His job of rebuilding Thailand's battered international image 
will not be helped by the fact that he was a prominent supporter of the 
protests, and still is.
More than 350, 000 travellers were stranded three weeks ago when a few 
thousand demonstrators from the ultraroyalist People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) stormed the airport. Investor confidence has been badly 
shaken and analysts say that lost tourism business could cost 1 million 
jobs.
But Mr Kasit told an audience of astonished diplomats and foreign 
journalists on Friday that the protests were "a lot of fun".
"The food was excellent, the music was excellent," he explained.
The PAD accused the then government of corruption over its links with 
the exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Although the 
government was elected only a year earlier, many people in Bangkok's 
middle class and the old elite find Mr Thaksin's influence in politics 
completely unacceptable.
Mr Kasit was a regular speaker at the protests, which helped bring the 
pro-Thaksin government down. His Democrat Party has now formed a new 
coalition, although they were defeated in each of three general 
elections held so far this decade.
"Look at it [the PAD protests] as pushing the process of democratisation 
forward," suggested Mr Kasit.
Many observers believe that the PAD was able to conduct its protest with 
impunity, and help topple an electorally popular administration, because 
it enjoys backing from powerful anti-Thaksin elements in the army and 
the royal palace.
The army is responsible for airport security but did nothing to prevent 
demonstrators from hijacking one of Asia's most important aviation hubs.
It is widely reported that senior army figures were instrumental in 
persuading MPs to switch sides to the new coalition. Asked what role the 
army played in bringing his party to power Mr Kasit said, "I don't know".
The new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has promised to bring the PAD 
to justice. Yet, besides his pick for foreign minister being a prominent 
supporter of the group, one of PAD's top leaders is a prominent MP in 
Abhisit's Democrat party.
Dr Pasuk Phongpaicit of Bangkok's Chulalongkorn university said, "It 
can't be denied that the PAD was instrumental in bringing the Democrats 
to government. So I think we are going to be disappointed with what this 
government will do about enforcing the rule of law with respect to the 
PAD and its activities." Foreign Minister Kasit berated Western 
diplomats and the foreign media for not being more sympathetic to the 
PAD's cause.
"You should be happy that for the first time ordinary people came out in 
full force to oppose corruption," he said. "If society has to be changed 
it has a price." The PAD employed "security guards" armed with clubs, 
guns and explosives but Mr Kasit criticised foreigners for dwelling on 
the movement's violent tendencies.
"People said we were armed," he complained. "My wife used to go every 
evening. What was she armed with? Only food and medicine!"






http://www.bangkokpost.com/131208_News/13Dec2008_news02.php

PAD warns of more protests
SURASAK GLAHAN
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced yesterday it will 
renew its protests if Puea Thai, formed to accommodate MPs of the 
disbanded People Power party (PPP), returns to lead the next coalition.
The Puea Thai party, struggling to take the lead in forming a new 
government against the Democrat party, hopes tonight's phone-in speech 
by deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will reverse the political 
tide.
Parliament will convene on Monday to vote on a new prime minister.
The PAD, which staged a six-month protest against the PPP-led coalition, 
called off its demonstration after the Constitutional Court dissolved 
the PPP and its coalition partners - the Chart Thai and Matchima 
Prachathipataya parties - for electoral fraud on Dec 2.
A group of former PPP MPs under the Newin Chidchob faction and most 
former PPP coalition partners have pledged to back the Democrat party in 
forming a new government.
Having campaigned against Thaksin and the PPP, the PAD leaders said they 
would not accept a government with the Puea Thai party in it, no matter 
who was prime minister.
"If our call is rejected or ignored, we will carry out moves appropriate 
to the situation," the PAD said.
Although the PAD did not back the Democrat-led alliance, the group did 
not oppose the idea.
It said it would monitor the switch of administrative power to see 
"whether there will be actions taken against the Thaksin regime". Core 
PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang declined to say if the group would 
again close airports if the Puea Thai party is in the next government.
The PAD said it should be given the credit for bringing political change.
Maj-Gen Chamlong denied, however, that his group always intended to help 
the Democrats come to power.
The PAD does not support any particular party but what happened recently 
could be considered a result of its campaign, he said.
If the Democrats succeed in forming the government, the PAD would not 
seek any favours from it.
The group's demands include scrapping huge investment projects initiated 
by the Samak Sundaravej government.





http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_2444354,00.html

PM: Thai opponents can protest
20/12/2008 12:11 - (SA)

Bangkok - Thailand's new premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Saturday his 
opponents would be allowed to rally when he delivers his policy address, 
as a protest group vowed to gather thousands of supporters.
Backers of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra - who are known as "Red 
Shirts" because of the scarlet clothes they wear - have said they will 
start gathering in Bangkok on December 28 to demand the dissolution of 
parliament.
Abhisit, voted in by lawmakers on December 15 after a court dissolved 
the Thaksin-linked ruling party, said police would be able to handle the 
protest.
"The Red Shirts have a right to rally under the constitution. We must 
respect their rights, but I have instructed officials to better handle 
them and not allow them to violate the law," Abhisit told reporters.
Authorities will be keen to prevent a repeat of the events surrounding a 
rally outside parliament by anti-Thaksin group the People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) on October 7, when police and protesters clashed, 
leaving two people dead and nearly 500 hurt.
Power vacuum
The PAD began rallying in May, accusing the People Power Party (PPP) 
government of running the country on behalf of Thaksin, who was removed 
in a 2006 coup and lives in exile overseas to avoid corruption charges.
Their campaign culminated with the occupation of Bangkok's two airports 
late last month, which they ended on December 3 after a court disbanded 
the PPP and forced then-premier Somchai Wongsawat from office.
The move opened up a power vacuum swiftly filled when Abhisit's Democrat 
Party won over defecting MPs, but supporters of the last government feel 
the court decision robbed them of their democratic rights.
Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the Red Shirt group, said they would 
mobilise thousands of supporters to protest the legitimacy of the 
Democrat-led coalition.
"This government has no right to rule - you can see minister positions 
have been awarded to capitalists, the PAD and the military, who helped 
the Democrats into power," he told AFP.
"We will move to parliament to demonstrate there, but we will not seal 
off and block lawmakers from entering," he added.
The Democrats are currently awaiting royal approval for their cabinet 
line-up, and Abhisit is due to deliver his policy address to parliament 
in the week beginning on December 29.
- SAPA