[Onthebarricades] THAILAND: Anti-government protests by PAD, Aug-Sept 2008

[global resistance roundup]

* PAD "misunderstood by western media", anti-capitalist
* PAD "fights democracy"
* Protesters say stress concerns unfounded
* Oct 5 - protest leader arrested
* Oct 5 - protesters dog Prime Minister
* PM's hometown worried by protests
* Sept 27 - protesters clash with airport security
* Parliament President chased off by protesters
* Sept 24 - protests raise spectre of coup
* Protesters seeking chaos?
* Yellow, redshirts clash in Wat Somanus
* Sept 14 - emergency rule lifted, protests continue
* September 8th - counter-protests planned in 50 provinces
* September 9th - PAD defy court threats
* Health fears at protest sites
* Sept 4th - chronology of 10 days of protests
* September 4th - Govt House turns into open-air market
* September 4th - mass strike fails, thousands remain at Govt House
* September 5th - Students injured in protest rally
* September 6th - protesters to stay put
* September 7th - Students divided over PAD protest
* September 4th - protests inside Parliament
* September 3rd - minister resigns as protests continue
* 500 protest at Chumphon city hall
* September 2nd - 1 killed, dozens injured as PAD and redshirts clash
* Krabi protesters seize airport in emergency protest
* September 1st - 100th day of anti-government protest
* September 1st - railway board resigns after trade union joins protest
* September 1st - PAD bomb police
* September 1st - protests hit rail services, oil production
* August 31st - PAD blockades airport in Phuket
* August 30th - "scuffles" as protests continue
* August 30th - police HQ, airports, rail hit
* August 31st - protesters clean up, leave royal building
* August 29th - police back off as protests spread, airports blockaded
* August 29th - 300 police trapped by protesters in compound
* Protesters target Government House, state TV
* Electricity workers to join protest
* 27th August - warrants issued for protest leaders
* 26th August - protesters storm Government House
* Poll shows opposition to PAD; city residents denounce protests
* 26th August - protesters clash with riot cops
* Protesters disrupt NBT broadcast
* 27th August - protesters block roads
* 26th August - protesters flood Bangkok
* 26th August - mass arrests as broadcaster shut down
* Protesters occupy key sites across capital


http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/09/01/thailand-protesters-misunderstood-by-western-media/

Thailand: Protesters misunderstood by Western media?

Monday, September 1st, 2008 @ 02:58 UTC
by Mong Palatino
Good news: Airports have been re-opened in Thailand.
Bad news: The political crisis is far from over.
Protesters are still camped inside Thailand’s Government House. They 
have been demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. The 
leader is accused of being a puppet of ousted Thai leader Thaksin 
Shinawatra.
Members of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are the frontrunners of 
the protest rallies in Thailand. The group is accused of fomenting chaos 
and military adventurism. In fact, some have branded it as People 
Against Democracy because of its proposal for a Parliament in which most 
of the lawmakers are appointed and only 30 percent elected.
Most of the online commentaries and news reports about PAD are not 
positive. SilapaJarun.com wonders whether the statements of PAD, and 
their English translations, are delivered to the global audience correctly.
“There is something wrong with Dan Rivers and CNN. Many details in the 
articles online contain erroneous info and I've found phrases in English 
which clearly show they have poor translators working for them. In one 
very clear example I think it was Dan R. who cut up a quote by Sondhi 
Limthongkul (leader of PAD) to suggest Sondhi and the movement wants a 
democracy which would disenfranchise the rural poor—when the full quote 
is that we need an interim government for a period before holding 
elections.”
The writer clarifies that PAD is not against democracy; what it opposes 
is western-style capitalism and its excesses:
“Many news outlets portray PAD as being “not happy” with democracy. PAD 
is not happy with western style capitalism in Thailand which has grown 
like a cancer. This kind of capitalism is obviously deeply connected 
with the debased form of democracy pandered by Thaksin Shinawatra.
“PAD's slogan is ‘toon niyom samarn’ which is like ‘filthy capitalism’ 
in which you can buy everything and most importantly sell everything 
including national assets and bring in foreign investors to do what Thai 
people can do on their own.
“The movement is therefore condemned as being ‘nationalistic’ when in 
fact it's trying to stop the snowball effect of neocolonialism (economic 
colonialism). Hyper-nationalism or nationalism (which) leans more 
towards thinking one's nationality is superior to another—this is not 
what PAD has ever said”
Then the writer highlights a point missed by mainstream media:
“It's interesting to note, that the Thai idea of democracy at the 
grassroots level has shades of socialism. In fact many of the key PAD 
leaders are union leaders which allowed them to shut down the railways 
and now ports.
“Media in the West has left out the key detail that Thai Muslims are 
backing this protest as well. Maybe it's a good thing they haven't 
picked up on it though—before you know it they'll think PAD is a bunch 
of terrorists.
“Only in Thailand…a movement is 100% supported by the people. PAD gets 
free food, mobile bathrooms, clothing…everything even ice from 
volunteers. If they announce on the stage “we need flashlights, 
batteries, water”—it'll be there soon!”
There are two ways to explain the ability of protesters to sustain their 
campaign for almost a week already. One, it has genuine support from 
citizens and organized sectors. It is impressive that railway and 
airline employees supported the protesters. Second, PAD has financial 
and political ties to other factions of the elite and military.
How are ordinary Thais and foreign residents coping with the protest 
activities? Will Yaryan is a bit excited:
“I'll take my binoculars up to the 22nd floor of our apartment building 
to scan the skyline for signs of action. And I watch news videos of the 
crisis on one of the local TV stations which provide a bit of 
information and insight, even if I can't understand the commentary. I've 
never been in a revolution, coup or putsch before. It's a bit exciting.”
Stuart's Life in Thailand is somewhat clueless:
“The political atmosphere is a huge mess, but away from the protests 
downtown in the government quarter, life is going on as normal in the 
rest of Bangkok.
“I have been trying to keep up with what is going on. But as an 
outsider, this has been a very difficult task. What are the protesters 
really aiming for? Who is supporting them? Who are the big groups that 
are struggling for power here? That is basically what this is all about 
— a power struggle over who will control the country, and the type of 
government that will have that power.”
A reader of Jamie's Phuket comments about the closure of the Phuket airport:
“Before Friday's action, the PAD had the support of the vast majority of 
people on Phuket. And now? Well, anyone who depends on the tourism 
industry for a living would have to wonder. Tourists don't play 
politics, so it's best not to play politics with tourists.”
Phuket is Thailand’s major tourism destination.
Gnarly Kitty is not amused:
“With the PAD going all crazy and s&#!t, who's going to side them now? 
And I was thinking, what's going to happen if the PAD doesn't stop this 
government? I mean, what's the big deal? You did it last time they came 
back anyway. And look, the more you're fighting, the more people are 
going to hate you. Just chill man. You're hurting the traffic. And I 
don't like waking up at 6 in the morning to hear you sing on TV.”
It is good that apology statements are circulating in emails about the 
inconvenience caused by PAD.
PAD has been criticized for invading a TV station. The attack was viewed 
as an assault on press freedom:
“Thai Broadcast Journalists Association and the Confederation of Thai 
Journalists, said: The mob action is one of the gravest and most blatant 
assaults on media freedom to date. The media was threatened, intimidated 
and kept from performing their duty.”
But a commenter thinks the government-run TV network deserved it:
“That darn TV station only broadcast government one side talk anyway… 
it's basically a government public relation channel. If it's fair, both 
sides should be in a talk show long time ago debating not one way. So 
the TV news is not a fair play, and deserved the break down like this.”
Prachatai uploads an article written by Pokpong Lawansiri which 
discusses why PAD is not as popular as before:
“This movement is no longer a broad-based alliance as it was during the 
anti-Thaksin days in 2006. Civil society groups in the PAD now only 
comprise a few individuals, not of broad-based networks.
“This is because the PAD no longer mentions issues relating to the 
welfare of the people. Issues such as the government's policies towards 
trade liberalisation which are affecting the people; human rights 
violations such as the case of Tak Bai, or the menacing war against 
drugs under the Thaksin administration; or issues relating to an attempt 
to push policy towards the creation of an economic system similar to 
that of a welfare state.
“The PAD's focus is now on superficial issues, which would not benefit 
members of the poor or marginalised group”
Real Life Thailand on why the protests backfired:
1) It has not achieved its stated objective;
2) Its fascist behaviour is losing it support.
3) It is actually increasing the popularity and perceived independence 
of Samak Suntarajev. Samak's calmness and patience during this fiasco is 
exactly what the PAD did not want. They wanted him to react angrily and 
threaten force, or start talking about Thaksin. His restraint has won 
him support.
Yesterday, an emergency session of Parliament was convened. Thailand 
Crisis is not impressed:
“It’s difficult to imagine how the session of Parliament could solve the 
political crisis. This is just PR. Nothing more.”
glossyart.com accuses PAD of promoting anarchy:
“The PAD is not even a party; it's more like a lobby consisting mainly 
of members of the Thai elite who are fed up with Samak's politics and 
who think he's just a puppet of the old (and corrupt) PM Thaksin. Taking 
the issue in their own hands is therefore not democratic but anarchic.”
Connecting the Dots insists political tensions in Thailand will not 
subside until Thaksin is punished:
“The unrest in Thailand will continue until Thaksin is out of the 
picture completely. If he is granted political asylum anyplace in the 
world, Thailand will still suffer. If Thaksin is unwilling to back down 
and give up, then someone must step in and do that for him. The Thai 
courts look to be on that track, and all that needs to be done is 
deliver Thaksin back to the Thais.”





http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/12/asia/12thai.php

Power of the people fights democracy in Thai protests

By Seth Mydans
Published: September 12, 2008

BANGKOK: It looks a lot like a "people power" revolution, the kind of 
brave and joyous pro-democracy uprising that has toppled dictators from 
the Philippines to Serbia.
For more than two weeks, thousands of people have camped on the grounds 
of the prime minister's office, cheering and clapping as speakers with 
microphones have stood on the back of a truck and called for the 
downfall of the government.
But in fact the protest is more like a counterrevolution by the Thai 
establishment against the rising electoral power of the mostly rural poor.
The government the protest seeks to bring down, whatever its faults, was 
democratically elected with a huge majority. The new order the protest 
proposes would roll back democracy by replacing an elected Parliament 
with one that is mostly appointed, keeping power in the hands of the 
country's royalist, bureaucratic, military elite.
"This is a very weird situation where a reactionary movement is 
mobilizing people by using conservative ideology mixed with leftist 
language," said Prajak Kongkeerati, a leading political scientist at 
Thammasat University.
The situation is weird but to some extent predictable, reflecting many 
of the social tensions visible throughout the region. A government that 
is hardly democratic, pursuing autocratic policies and seeking to 
neutralize the checks and balances of the Constitution, bases its 
support on the votes of the poor. That alienates powerful interests that 
are used to getting their way, which breeds confrontation, paralysis 
and, possibly, instability.
Whichever way the confrontation ends, analysts say, democracy is 
unlikely to be the winner.
Although Thailand has in recent years been seen as a beacon of democracy 
in Asia, the system has always been tenuous, plagued by coups and 
corruption. The current government is the friendly successor to former 
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.
Since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, its governments 
have been unstable and mostly short-lived coalitions, scrapping and 
replacing their constitutions 17 times. They have been subject to two 
corrective forces particular to Thailand: repeated intervention by the 
military and by the monarchy.
There have been 18 coups since 1932, and Thai commentators say 
conditions are ripe for a coup now. The army chief, General Anupong 
Paochinda, has promised that this will not happen, but promises like 
this have been broken in the past.
If the situation becomes critical, many Thais hope King Bhumibol 
Adulyadej will step in as he has several times over the years to defuse 
confrontations. The king stands above the fray of politics, but he is 
deeply revered and his word is the authority of last resort in a country 
that has still not found its political footing.
Calling themselves the People's Alliance for Democracy, or PAD, 
protesters have occupied the grounds of the prime minister's office 
since Aug. 26, forcing him to move the business of government elsewhere.
In a strange twist unrelated to the protest, the prime minister, Samak 
Sundaravej, was forced to step down on Tuesday after a court ruled that 
he had violating the Constitution by accepting payments to appear on a 
television cooking show while in office. A new prime minister was 
expected to be named Friday — and it could possibly be Samak, whose 
party has nominated him to succeed himself — but the protests have 
continued and show no sign of coming to an end.
The protests go beyond a challenge to one government and are rooted in 
social and political divides that have only hardened in the past three 
years of political tension. It is a story of haves and have-nots, with 
the haves rising up against the poorer classes.
Traditionally in Thailand, governments have pursued policies that 
reflected the country's hierarchical culture, favoring the urban elite.
"We can say that every government has a policy platform that has an 
urban bias," Prajak said. "So when elections come, they court the 
support of the rural vote. But when they are in power, they formulate 
policy that favors the urban and industrial sector."
Because of this, he said, "We have an unequal growth between the 
agricultural sector and the industrial sector. This gives us the very 
high gap in income distribution."
Thaksin tapped into this disparity, placing the poor at the center of 
his governing strategy with populist policies like low-cost health care 
and debt relief. Poor and rural voters found their voice in voting for 
him, creating an overwhelming electoral base that gave him and his 
allies increasing economic and political power that some saw as a 
challenge to the monarchy.
The People's Alliance is a self-contradictory mix of royalist elites, 
generals and business professionals with some liberal democrats, 
students and trade unionists, united only by their opposition to the 
pro-Thaksin government.
But at its core, the People's Alliance would move Thailand away from the 
basic democratic principle of one person one vote, Prajak said. "Many 
Thai elite don't believe in that," he said.
The People's Alliance would return the country to a 20-year-old model of 
"semi-democracy," in which the bureaucracy and the military have a role 
in politics and business professionals share a voice with elected 
representatives, Prajak said.
In their resistance to democracy, the protesters are squarely in a 
political camp that has roots deep in Thai history, said Thongchai 
Winichakul, a professor of Southeast Asian history at the University of 
Wisconsin-Madison.
"The PAD is a variation of the deep-rooted hierarchical society," he 
said. "In a nutshell, it's a kind of distrust of the people."
He added: "You can find this idea beginning in the late 19th century, 
when King Chulalongkorn said Thai people do not want democracy, that 
Thai people trust the king.
"Throughout all the years that kind of idea remained," Thongchai said. 
"People are not ready."






http://www.bangkokpost.com/040908_News/04Sep2008_news06.php

Protesters say stress concerns unfounded
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Psychologists have raised concern about how anti-government protesters, 
who are fiercely determined to oust the Samak administration, will 
handle any major disappointments. Mental Health Department spokesperson 
Taweesin Visanuyothin said the protesters were on a ''high''. Their 
emotions were at fever pitch and that left the worrying problem of their 
mental capacity to accept reversals.
Dr Taweesin said all Thais, not just the protesters, should be ready to 
cope with emotional stress as the country is going through one of its 
toughest times of political uncertainty.
In light of the current stand-off, people's emotions could range from 
anxious to depressed to stressed. Some could become more aggressive, 
leading to more clashes like those on Tuesday.
The clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators left one man 
dead and 43 injured.
However, many PAD members said being able to join the protest was the 
best way to ease stress.
Artificial legs and arms have not prevented Surapol Pongpipatpanich from 
tackling the long trip from Phuket to join the rally.
Sitting on drenched ground inside the Government House compound, the 
53-year-old engineer said he had no worries about his safety.
''I am happier and less depressed coming here than sitting at home and 
watching what's happening on television,'' he said.
Mr Surapol, a veteran of the Oct 6, 1976 student uprising, stopped 
working and headed to Bangkok when People's Alliance for Democracy 
leaders announced ''the final war'' last week.
He believes the group will win and oust the Samak government.
Having supported PAD for more than two years, he and his wife admit to 
some disappointment due to uncertainty in the situation.
''Of course, we'll be very sorry if we don't win this time. But at least 
we have let this government realise that people are always ready to step 
up and fight against any corrupt and immoral politicians,'' he said.
Another PAD demonstrator, Napasporn Tangchitchotewuttikul, a cousin of 
ex-Thai Rak Thai MP Suporn Atthawong, said protests against the 
government had become a zero-sum game and the PAD could not afford to lose.
''It's either us or the government. The stakes are very high and we 
cannot afford to lose,'' she said.
To ease stress, Dr Taweesin recommended PAD and government supporters 
put aside their differences and talk about issues they have in common. 
The idea was to ease tensions and allow more sleep, the most effective 
way to kill stress.
The mental health expert was positive about a solution to the political 
stalemate and that it could end without violence or bloodshed.
''Both the government and PAD supporters should not pin their hopes too 
much on winning or losing.
''The most important thing for everyone to get through this tough time 
is to have a conscience and be prepared to accept the outcome, no matter 
the result,'' he said.






http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/05/asia/thai.php

Thai protest leader arrested

By Thomas Fuller
Published: October 5, 2008

BANGKOK: The police arrested on Sunday the leader of a group of 
anti-government protesters who have occupied the grounds of the Thai 
prime minister's office here for more than a month.
Chamlong Srimuang, who faces charges of insurrection and inciting 
unrest, was detained early Sunday immediately after casting his vote in 
the Bangkok gubernatorial election.
Thailand's prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, who took power last month, 
has been working out of the VIP lounge of Bangkok's old airport because 
the protesters have barricaded themselves into what would normally have 
been his office.
Until now, Somchai has been publicly conciliatory toward the protesters, 
offering to start negotiations with them. It was unclear if the arrests 
of Chamlong and another protest organizer, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, who was 
detained Friday, indicated a harder line by the government.
But the arrest appeared to undermine plans by the deputy prime minister, 
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, to meet with protest leaders later this week.
The opposition leader in Parliament, Abhisit Vejjajiva, warned Sunday 
that the arrest could worsen the country's political crisis, which began 
about three years ago with demonstrations against Thaksin Shinawatra and 
his removal in September 2006 in a military coup.
Anand Panyarachun, a former prime minister, compared Chamlong's arrest 
to "starting a fire."
"It will definitely heat up the temperature, and I don't know where it 
is going to lead," Anand told reporters after casting his vote in the 
election for Bangkok governor.
Chamlong's arrest was almost cordial - the police allowed him to vote 
before detaining him and let him sit in the front seat of a police 
vehicle. The protest leader appeared to anticipate his arrest, leaving a 
note before he went to vote that urged demonstrators to carry on in the 
barricaded prime minister's compound.
Bangkok's Metropolitan Police commissioner, Suchart Muangaew, seemed 
apologetic in explaining Chamlong's arrest. "I want people to understand 
that if the police didn't arrest the suspect when we saw him, the police 
might be accused of negligence," Suchart said.
The police would not use force to arrest seven other leaders of the 
anti-government protests, he added.
A criminal court in Bangkok will consider on Monday whether the warrant 
against Chamlong and the other leaders is valid.
Chamlong, 73, is a former army general turned politician who was once 
Bangkok governor. In addition to his role as protest leader, he also 
heads an ascetic Buddhist sect.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/10/05/politics/politics_30085124.php

PAD protesters dog prime minister
By The Sunday Nation
Published on October 5, 2008
The People's Alliance for Democracy twice confronted Prime Minister 
Somchai Wongsawat yesterday.


Some 100 PAD supporters chanted slogans against him while he lunched at 
the Pasak Cholasit Dam club house in Lop Buri but were kept away by the 
police. Another 100 later forced him to cancel plans to visit the 
Buddha's footprint in Saraburi province.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/28/politics/politics_30084566.php

PM's home town worries over PAD protests
By The Sunday Nation
Published on September 28, 2008
The business sector in Nakhon Si Thammarat fears that the protest by the 
People's Alliance for Democracy against Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat 
during his visit to his home town will affect the image and economic 
development of the province.

Nakhon Si Thammarat Chamber of Commerce president Jamorn Charoen-apibal 
said that although the protest involved a small group of people, the 
adverse publicity would portray the whole province as anti-government.
Somchai changed his plan to visit Nakhon Si Thammarat following reports 
that the PAD would stage a protest in the province. He took another 
plane and landed at Surat Thani airport, in the neighbouring province, 
at 10.30am yesterday to continue the journey by road to Nakhon Si Thammarat.
"Having a Nakhon Si Thammarat native as PM will help the province in 
improving the living conditions of local residents and injecting funds 
to push development projects. Those who have a different opinion should 
respect the rights of others and not push the country to a dead end,'' 
he said.
At Surat Thani airport, 200 people welcomed the PM. However, Somchai's 
face dropped when a PAD protester shouted "Traitor!" right in his face 
when he was about to leave.
Prayong Ronarong, Magsaysay Award winner for community development in 
2004, opposed the PAD protest against Somchai. He said that although the 
PAD had the right to protest it should have re-|sorted to other ways 
that did |not create bad press and alienate the people of the province.
"A political movement that is driven by emotion rather than by sense 
brings damage. I wish people would exercise better judgement,'' said 
Prayong, who is a native of Nakhon Si Thammrat.
He urged the PAD not to mobilise anti-government protests in the 14 
southern provinces, saying they would not improve the country's 
political situation.
Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet yesterday voiced concern over the 
protest in the South against the prime minister, and another one earlier 
in the week against visiting House Speaker Chai Chidchob.
"I don't want to see conflicts expanding to different regions |of the 
country. This government belongs to the entire country, |not to any 
particular region. |The government has just been |set up. We should 
allow them time to run the country," he said.
Chamlong Srimuang, a core PAD leader, said yesterday that the group's 
supporters in the South had acted independently. There were no 
instructions from the PAD leaders in Bangkok. He also said the threat by 
the PAD's southern supporters to besiege certain airports in the region 
as part of their protest was also an independent action.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party assistant secretary-general Thepthai Senpong 
denied an accusation by the three hosts of the NBT television talk show 
"The Truth of Today" that the party had hired protesters in Nakhon Si 
Thammrat to oust Somchai.
The Democrats were accused of paying Bt1,000 each to 150 people to hold 
rally against Somchai there.
"The PAD protest in Nakhon Si Thammrat was a real movement of the 
people,'' he said.






http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/234354,protesters-clash-with-airport-security-as-thai-premier-visits-south.html

Protesters clash with airport security as Thai premier visits South
Posted : Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:00:00 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Asia (World)

Bangkok - Anti-government protesters clashed with airport security in 
Surat Thani soon after Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat arrived in the 
southern city Saturday, the government-run Thai News Agency reported. No 
serious injuries were reported and the protesters, who numbered about 
100, fell short of closing the airport as they threatened to prevent 
Somchai from visiting his hometown near the town some 650 kilometres 
south of Bangkok.
Somchai, who became prime minister on September 18, said he wanted to 
return to his hometown to celebrate his appointment.
The protests were in support of the People's Alliance for Democracy 
(PAD), which is spearheading demonstrations in Bangkok against the 
government they claim is controlled by ousted premier Thaksin 
Shinawatra, who is seeking political asylum in Britain.
Somchai is married to one of Thaksin's sisters.
Chamlong Srimuang, a core PAD leader and retired army general, said what 
PAD supporters do in the south is independently up to them and not 
controlled from Bangkok.
Thousands of PAD supporters seized the Government House compound on 
August 26 and have refused to leave until the government meets their 
demands.
The demands include not amending the 2007 constitution that they claim 
the government was trying to do in an effort to clear Thaksin of 
corruption charges and make way for his return.
An earlier demand was that former prime minister Samak Sundaravej 
resign, but he lost his post on September 9 when the Constitutional 
Court found him guilty of illegal moonlighting by hosting television 
cooking shows.
Sitting prime ministers are not allowed to earn income from a second job.
The PAD has refused to stop their protests because Somchai's cabinet is 
similar to Samak's, which they accuse of being controlled by Thaksin.
Two years ago, the PAD organized months of protests against Thaksin, who 
was eventually ousted in a bloodless military coup in September 2006.
The PAD and coup leaders charged Thaksin with massive corruption, 
dividing the nation, and undermining democracy and the monarchy.
Thaksin, a former policeman turned billionaire businessman, was prime 
minister from 2001 to 2006, winning a huge following among Thailand's 
rural poor.
But the populist politician drew the opposition of the political elite 
when his growing power led to perceived abuses for personal gain.
After spending 17 months in exile in the post-coup period, Thaksin 
returned to Thailand in February but fled again last month after his 
wife was convicted on tax-evasion charges.
She skipped bail, and the couple is now seeking asylum in Britain. 
Thaksin currently has four warrants for his arrest in Thailand for not 
appearing to face various corruption charges.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30084481

Chai forced by protesters to leave Nakhon Si Thammarat

Parliament President Chai Chidchob failed to chair an event in the 
southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat after a group of protesters 
turned up to demand him to leave.
Chai left the province and headed back to Bangkok Friday morning. He 
initially planned to chair the Parliament Meet the People activity at 
the Si Thammarat Suksa School Friday morning.
But protesters rallied outside the Twin Lotus Hotel where he initially 
stayed Thursday night, prompting him to sneak out to stay overnight at a 
resort of Piti Thepphakdee, a failed election candidate of the People 
Power Party.
Chai left the resort and headed back to Bangkok Friday morning.
Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said he was worry 
sorry about the protest and his party was not behind it.
The Nation






http://www.bt.com.bn/en/asia_news/2008/09/24/protests_raise_spectre_of_another_coup_in_thailand

Protests raise spectre of another coup in Thailand
BANGKOK

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

PERSISTING anti-government protests and political instability threaten 
peace and democracy in Thailand and could usher in another military 
coup, a leading think tank has said.

The warning came as Thailand's new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat put 
the finishing touches yesterday to his cabinet line-up, which is 
expected to be unveiled within days.

Protesters besieging the main government compound will be watching 
closely for signs of the influence of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, 
as they continue their campaign to bring down any government with links 
to him.

"Every day the standoff continues, political divisions become more 
intractable - and another coup becomes more likely," Brussels-based 
International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a statement released late Monday.

Thaksin was overthrown in a coup in September 2006 and fled into exile 
for a second time in August this year as corruption cases mounted 
against him.

His allies in the People Power Party (PPP) won elections in December 
2007 but have struggled with protests and court cases against them.

"Overthrowing the elected government - either by a coup or by street 
demonstrations - would be a severe blow to Thailand's democracy ", said 
Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, ICG's Thailand analyst.

"It will do nothing to resolve the deep political polarisation that is 
tearing Thailand apart."

The group said the crisis was affecting tourism and the economy. The 
Thai stock market has fallen more than 25 per cent since an alliance of 
anti-government demonstrators launched their campaign in late May.

Tensions grew when they stormed Government House nearly a month ago.

PPP deputy leader Somchai was elected premier after Samak Sundaravej was 
forced out from office.AFP







http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e78b7bda-8991-11dd-8371-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

Thai protesters pursue chaos theory
By Amy Kazmin in Bangkok
Published: September 23 2008 18:12 | Last updated: September 23 2008 18:12
It is nearly a month since Puangporn Boonthai, a university student from 
north-east Thailand, came to Bangkok to join a siege of Government House 
to protest against the country’s elected administration.
Initially, the protesters were calling for the resignation of Samak 
Sundaravej, the abrasive former prime minister, who was removed from his 
post two weeks ago by a court that deemed his guest appearances on a 
television cookery programme a violation of constitutional conflict of 
interest rules.
Since then Somchai Wongsawat, a mild-mannered bureaucrat and Mr Samak’s 
successor, has tried to strike a conciliatory note, urging protesters to 
allow his administration to focus on Thailand’s urgent economic and 
social challenges. Mr Somchai is expected to unveil his cabinet on 
Wednesday.
Yet Ms Puangporn, like other members of the People’s Alliance for 
Democracy, has no intention of leaving. They will not be pacified until 
Thailand finds a new way to choose its ¬leaders, by replacing a 
parliamentary democracy they believe is broken beyond repair.
“We want a new political system,” said Ms Puangporn, wearing a black 
t-shirt ¬bearing the English slogans: “Thailand Turning Point 2008” and 
“Democracy ¬Revolution”.
To her, the fact that Mr Somchai is also the brother-in-law of Thaksin 
Shinawatra, the fugitive former prime minister now in exile in the UK, 
is emblematic of all that ails Thai democracy – a system where, she 
says, the poor sell their vote to corrupt leaders.
“We want a system where the people can participate more – not where the 
people, can buy votes,” she said. “Politicians today have a conflict of 
interest problem. Now it looks like we get the same as Mr Thaksin. It’s 
the same vicious circle.”
The PAD has backed away from its initial proposal of a new legislature 
made up of 70 per cent appointees and 30 per cent elected members. But 
it is developing plans for a new system to classify voters by their 
occupation, and allow them to vote for leaders from their field.
Despite his appeal for national healing, Mr Somchai has acknowledged 
that the siege is not likely to end soon, approving Bt8bn ($237m, €160m, 
£128m) last week to fit out offices in Bangkok’s former airport to serve 
as the temporary administrative headquarters for his People’s Power 
party-led ruling coalition.
Most Thais believe the PAD’s strategy is to cause such disruption that 
the military is prompted to intervene, paving the way for a 
constitutional overhaul. Publicly, the PAD has called for a new 
“national unity government”, in which the legislature could choose any 
Thai as prime minister, even if he was not an elected member of parliament.
“The PAD are committed to their chaos theory to bring about their new 
order,” said Giles Ungpakorn, a Chulalongkorn ¬University political 
scientist. “Even if [Mr Somchai] wasn’t the brother-in-law [of Mr 
Thaksin], they would still object to any PPP prime minister.
“They want an end to parliamentary democracy.”
Boonlert Pairindra, a US-educated retired bureaucrat and former senator, 
believes it will be only a matter of months before the protesters 
disperse voluntarily – after achieving their aim of ¬driving out the 
PPP-led administration.









http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30082266

Clash occurs in Wat Somanus community

Two groups of people in red and yellow shirts clashed on a soi of Wat 
Somanus community Tuesday morning.

The clash occurred at 6:10 am.

About 100 men in red shirts tried to attack those in yellow shirts by 
throwing rocks at them.

Each side also threw tree pots and pieces of woods against each other.

The men in red shirts also sprayed fire extinguishers at the other side.

The Nation







http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-09/15/content_10002917.htm

Protests continue as emergency rule lifted in Bangkok


•Anti-government protesters continued their rally, occupation in the 
Government House..
• Caretaker PM Somchai announced to lift the emergency decree in Bangkok.
•He urged all parties to reach reconciliation in form of dialogue.


Policemen in riot gear keep guard outside Parliament in Bangkok Sept. 
12, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


BANGKOK, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- Anti-government protesters continued their 
rally and occupation in the Government House although Thailand's 
Caretaker Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat announced to lift the 
emergency decree in Bangkok on Sunday, 12 days after it was imposed by 
the former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
The lifting takes effect from Sunday, said Somchai in a statement, 
citing that the emergency decree would further affect people's life and 
cause economic losses to the country, and that no major violent 
incidents has happened since the decree was imposed, which meant the 
situation has improved and made a state of emergency unnecessary.
Somchai said that political uncertainties in the recent past had already 
brought the kingdom negative impacts socially and economically.
He urged all parties to solve their "conflicts of ideas" and reach 
reconciliation in form of dialogue within the framework of law and 
democracy in order to improve the situation.
The caretaker prime minister did not make a demand for the 
anti-government protesters organized by the People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD), who have seized and occupied the Government House in 
central Bangkok since Aug. 26, to disperse, though.
The PAD had demanded Samak and his whole cabinet to resign and pushed 
for its so-called "new politics" concept, which want a major part of the 
parliament members to be appointed rather than elected, to be imposed.
However, the army chief maintained on no use of force in efforts to 
remove the PAD protesters, who continued their rally and occupation in 
the Government House.
After violent clashes broke out before dawn on Sept. 2 between 
pro-government demonstrators and PAD protesters on the streets of 
Bangkok, Samak declared a state of emergency over Bangkok hours later, 
and assigned Army Chief Anupong to be in charge of the imposition.
After Samak was disqualified by a Constitutional Court verdict on 
Tuesday which found him in breach of the charter by hosting TV cooking 
shows while in office, first Deputy Prime Minister Somchai was appointed 
as acting prime minister to head the caretaker government.
The House of Representatives on Friday postponed a scheduled vote on a 
new prime minister until next Wednesday after the PPP split over whether 
to re-nominate Samak, while other five coalition parties also voiced 
opposition to the choice of Samak.
Samak later declined the offer.

Somchai is now deemed among the three favorite candidates for the prime 
minister post by the PPP, which is set to announce its decision on the 
final choice on Monday and now lobbying coalition partners to accept its 
choice.
Although the emergency decree was lifted, the PAD on Sunday vowed to 
carry on anti-government rally at the Government House.
Two core leaders of PAD, Chamlong Srimuang and Somsak Kosaikul, held a 
press conference on Sunday morning, saying that the emergency decree has 
caused damage to the country in many aspects, but it was not the PAD's 
fault.
They also made it clear that the PAD will not accept the three top 
tipped candidates of PPP for the premiership -- including caretaker PM 
Somchai, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong 
Suebwonglee, caretaker Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat, or anyone 
from the current caretaker government led by PPP.
They have vowed to continue their demonstration until the current 
administration steps down and it becomes certain that no other "proxy" 
of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra runs the country.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/08/politics/politics_30082829.php

Counter protests planned in 50 provinces
By The Nation
Published on September 8, 2008
Thailand is heading toward further rifts with pro-government crowds 
planning to rally in 50 provinces to demand an end to the 
anti-government protesters' siege of the Government House.

People Power Party MP Chuvit Pitakpornpallop said pro-government crowds 
would rally in 50 provinces located in the four regions to counter the 
People's Alliance for Democracy by demanding to the PAD's capture of the 
Government House.
The pro-government rallies were scheduled to take place at provincial 
halls from last night until the anti-government protesters moved out of 
the seat of the government.
Chuvit said pro-government crowds might even lay siege to religious 
sanctuaries run by Santi Asoke in Ubon Ratchathani and other provinces.
Santi Asoke is seen as closely linked to PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang.
Samak Sundaravej, the prime minister, is scheduled to hold his Cabinet 
meeting in Udon Thani tomorrow. He is in the same shoes with Thaksin, 
who in 2006 was also forced to hold his Cabinet meetings in the 
provinces because the PAD had sealed the Government House.
Udon Thani is the province where recently members of the PAD were 
physically assaulted by the pro-government supporters, an incident that 
created big headlines.
Prakasit Rubsung, a leader of the PAD in the Northeast, said Khwanchai 
Praipana, the leader of the pro-government Udon Lovers' Club, is 
planning to organise rallies against the PAD by paying Bt150,000 to any 
district which brings in people to support the rallies.
He added that Khwanchai will be mobilising some 2,000 supporters to 
greet Samak and his Cabinet on Monday at the airport and to prevent the 
PAD's protesters from getting close to the prime minister.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party yesterday ruled out all scenarios for 
it to relinquish power - either by the prime minister resigning or a 
House dissolution - arguing the turmoil would persist regardless of its 
course of action.
"Protesters want to introduce the idea of so-called 'new politics' even 
though many people have no idea what that is," party spokesman Kudep 
Saikrajang said.
Kudep said political normalcy could not be restored as long as the 
opposition movement led by the PAD was determined to use illegal means 
to oust the government and revamp the political system.
He said none of the problems would be solved by Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej's resignation or by calling a snap election.
If the government bows to demands made through illegal means, this would 
set a dangerous precedent for the Thai political system, he said.
The uncertainty would escalate because at this juncture, there is no 
clear explanation on how to implement a new system of allocating House 
seats among 70 per cent of appointees and 30 per cent of elected MPs, he 
said.
The party spokesman dismissed speculation that the main coalition party 
was at odds with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda relating to the 
enforcement of emergency measures.
He said his party did not pressure Anupong to use force to evict 
protesters from Government House as the government had pledged patience 
and tolerance in trying to resolve the political unrest.
He said his party was in favour of negotiations as a way to overcome the 
political deadlock as suggested by Anupong. The problem is not the 
government but the opposition movement, which refuses to negotiate, he said.






http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=97131

THAILAND: PAD to continue protest despite court ruling
Opposition group pleased with court's ruling about Prime Minister Samak 
hosting two broadcast shows, but warn parliament about its vote for a 
new one
Bangkok Post
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) released a statement on Tuesday 
night, saying that it would continue its anti-government protest as it 
has proven that the group played an important role in opposing the 
government that has violated the charter.
The statement was released several hours after the Constitution Court 
ruled that Samak Sundaravej violated the constitution by hosting cooking 
shows on commercial television and ordered him to step down.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the rally needs to go on as the 
group would like to closely monitor the situation and see who will be 
elect to be a new prime minister.
Mr Suriyasai called on political parties to think 'outside the box,' and 
said neither Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva nor Chart Thai 
party leader Banharn Silpa-archa is qualified to lead the country.
"There will be problems if Mr Abhisit is elected," he said. "If Mr 
Banharn is elected, there will be conflicts as well."
PAD also condemned People Power party (PPP)'s resolution to re-elect 
Samak Sundaravej back into the government, saying that this is a proof 
that the party MPs are unethical thus should not have the right to 
govern the country.
"These politicians have the intention to keep the country under crisis," 
it said in the statement.
Date Posted: 9/9/2008





http://www.bangkokpost.com/100908_News/10Sep2008_news11.php

Sanitation worries at PAD protest sites
Doctors fear demonstrators are at risk of ill-health, writes Apiradee 
Treerutkuarkul

The early-morning sight of cleaners wearing Mohom, an indigo-dyed shirt, 
and a sarong and sweeping the streets is a familiar one along 
Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue The garbage they sweep up is generated by the 
thousands of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters inside the 
Government House compound and around the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge area 
protesting against the People Power party-led administration. The trash 
is carried away to a line-up of green trucks waiting nearby.
The cleaning duties are just one of the routine activities of the 
''Dhamma Army'', from the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect. It also runs a 
vegetarian canteen which has provided free meals to the the protesters 
since the anti-government offensive was launched in late May.
But despite their efforts, concerns have been raised over the hygiene of 
the protests sites.
Doctors are warning of possible outbreaks of diarrhoea and 
gastrointestinal diseases due to unhygienic food and a shortage of toilets.
The PAD core leaders have dismissed the worries, but doctors stationed 
at the demonstration sites and medical experts from elsewhere point to 
the damp conditions, crowded environment and limited sanitation as 
causes for concern.
''Although there have been no reports of severe diarrhoea so far, it is 
possible that PAD protesters could experience fever, headaches, sore 
throats and food poisoning, especially with the rapidly changing weather 
of the monsoon season,'' said senior health official Vichai Chokewiwat, 
chairman of the Oct 14, 1973 foundation.
With the PAD struggling to improve sanitation at the protest sites, Dr 
Vichai has recommended demonstrators try to stay dry and keep their feet 
protected.
But the Dhamma Army and many PAD supporters dismissed the hygiene risk, 
saying it was simply an attempt to discourage more people from joining 
the demonstration.
''They can say what they want. There will always be rumours. We all 
realise this is a public place and that we have to keep it clean,'' said 
Padboon Chaohinfah, a 50-year-old chef and a member of the Dhamma Army.
Ms Padboon wakes up at 3am each day and joins hundreds of fellow Dhamma 
Army members in cleaning the area.
They collect garbage, clean cooking sites and the areas around Makkhawan 
Bridge and the Government House compound, before preparing breakfast for 
protesters.
She said members make sure all ingredients are clean before cooking.
Many PAD supporters who stay overnight help them with the cleaning duties.
Ms Padboon, however, conceded she had heard of protesters falling ill 
due to food poisoning from time to time.
But she said it was difficult to know if their meals were responsible 
for any illness because food has also been donated by PAD supporters 
from around the country.
Hatairat Charoenwattananon, a volunteer nurse stationing at a medical 
tent near Santi Maitri Building, said she watched a news programme 
reporting on PAD demonstrators falling ill due to poor food and limited 
toilet facilities but was not convinced of the accuracy of the news 
coverage.
''This is nonsense and completely untrue. I dare those who spread this 
rumour to come and see with their own eyes how we are staying here,'' 
she said.
Sunee Limthongtae, a PAD supporter from Bangkok's Phra Kanong district, 
said the reports of a health risk would not discourage her from going to 
Government House to join the protest.
''My friends and I will always come here to protest because we cannot 
stand corrupt politicians ruining our country any longer,'' she said.





http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP12798.htm

CHRONOLOGY:Ten days of street protests in Thailand
04 Sep 2008 04:15:48 GMT
Source: Reuters
(For related story see THAILAND/PROTEST or [ID:nSP329169]
Sept 4 (Reuters) - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on Thursday 
that he would neither quit nor dissolve parliament in the face of a 
street campaign led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
The protests began in Bangkok in late May and have escalated over the 
past 10 days after thousands of protesters occupied the prime minister's 
official compound.
(For related FACTBOX on the PAD see [ID:nBKK96523])
Here is a timeline charting recent unrest.
* Aug 26: Thousands of demonstrators storm state broadcaster NBT and 
Samak's official compound in a PAD-organised attempt to unseat his 
seven-month-old government. [ID:nBKK47538]
* Aug 27: Thai court orders protesters to leave government compound, 
issues arrest warrants for nine PAD leaders for inciting unrest and 
trying to overthrow government. [ID:nBKK145744]
* Aug 28: About 40,000 protesters defy deadline to leave. Police unable 
to arrest leaders due to sheer numbers barricaded inside the compound 
behind makeshift barriers of car tyres and razor wire. [ID:nSP265214]
* Aug 29: Unrest peaks. Police fire teargas and rubber bullets to repel 
2,000 protesters who attack Bangkok's police headquarters; scuffles 
break out as they deliver eviction orders at Government House. 
Demonstrations spread south, forcing closure of airports in Krabi and 
Phuket. Rail services disrupted by strikes. [ID:nBKK97947]
* Aug 30: Samak holds firm, vows not to quit. [ID:nBKK21471]
* Aug 31: More than 1,000 government supporters rally outside parliament 
as lawmakers debate the street campaign. Samak vows never to bow to 
protesters. [ID:nBKK45732]
* Sept 1: Public sector unions threaten nationwide strike on Sept. 3 
unless Samak quits. Government says unrest is turning into guerrilla war 
after a small bomb explodes in a Bangkok police booth; no one is 
injured. [ID:nSP195323]
* Sept 2: Samak declares state of emergency after one person is killed 
and about 45 people hurt in overnight clashes between his supporters and 
anti-government protesters. All public gatherings banned in Bangkok. 
Amry chief says force will not be used to break up occupation of 
government compound. [ID:nSP120651]
* Sept 3: Thai foreign minister quits as protests drag on. Hundreds of 
riot police outside Government House make no move towards the thousands 
of protesters camped inside. Public sector strike causes little 
disruption. [ID:nSP48377]
* Sept 4: Prime Minister Samak says he will neither quit nor dissolve 
parliament. Barricaded inside the prime minister's compound, the PAD 
vows to stay until Samak resigns. [ID:nSP329169]
Source: Reuters






http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=604995

Thailand: Gov`t House turns into open air market to cater protesters
Posted: 2008/09/04
From: MNN

Gov`t House has become an open-air market selling goods to the thousands 
of anti-gov`t protestors have occupied the prime minister`s office for 
more than a week now.

Despite emergency rule, thousands of People's Alliance for Democracy or 
PAD protesters were still milling around the prime minister’s compound, 
entertained by musical performances and munching on free food.

Some protesters wandered around, shopping and chatting at Government 
House, which is normally used to welcome official guests such as U.S. 
President George W. Bush. Dozens of stalls lined the street, selling 
sundry items such as clapping toys used for cheering, face tattoos 
bearing the Thai national flag and slippers with the faces of former 
prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman.

Chorpiporn Pattanasupong, a masseuse said "It’s tiring to sit for a long 
time or walk long
distances, so they come to have a massage."

A stall selling yellow T-shirts has proved popular, with many protesters 
wearing them to show their respect for King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Yellow 
is the colour of Monday, the day of the week on which the 80-year-old 
monarch was born.

A protestor said "It would be stressful to sit in the protest all the 
time. Coming to shop here is relaxing."

Many people have joined the rally since the street protest began in May 
and some of them have now run out of money.

Uma Sungkhao, a protestor said "I've stayed in the protest here for too 
long, my money is running out. So I have found something to sell."

The protestors have vowed to continue their campaign until prime 
minister Samak Sundaravej resigns and have urged others to join them 
behind barricades of razor wire and car tyres. Restaurant owners and 
supporters of the PAD have been giving the protestors free food.

Duangkamol Sawansook, a PAD supporter said "It's hot here, so ice is 
perfect to give out to the protestors. No one else is doing it and 
normally we give out this dessert at home, so we came here.” (TNA)







http://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/04/world/fg-thailand4

Archive for Thursday, September 04, 2008
‘We won’t stop,’ Thai protester pledges
A mass strike fails to materialize but tens of thousands remain at a 
government compound in Bangkok as they seek Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej’s resignation.
By Charles Mcdermid
September 04, 2008 in print edition A-5
Bangkok shopkeeper Rai Varopaspiman is dead tired. Months ago, she 
joined anti-government protesters and began camping outside the gates of 
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s administrative compound, demanding his 
resignation.
Six days ago, the situation intensified when Rai and thousands of other 
People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters – some wielding golf clubs, 
slingshots or pepper spray – stormed the gates and set up a protest camp 
inside.
Arrest warrants on treason charges have been issued for nine of the 
group’s leaders, and a court order has demanded dispersal of the crowd, 
which reports say has reached as many as 30,000 people.
The escalating turmoil, which has spilled to the provinces and shut down 
tourist hot spots, prompted Samak to declare a state of emergency 
Tuesday. The decree forbids gatherings of more than five people and 
restricts news media freedoms.
At a televised news conference, Samak said the emergency declaration was 
the most gentle way to restore peace in Thailand. He also insisted that 
he had no intention of stepping down. “I don’t understand why people 
think I’m the bad guy here,” he told reporters.
Early today, Samak reiterated in a radio broadcast that he would not resign.
A threatened mass strike failed to materialize by Wednesday night, 
although hundreds of Bangkok schools and several regional airports 
remained closed. Razor-wire barricades were erected at entrances to 
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where protesters have threatened to 
disrupt flights.
Sundaravej, elected in January after a junta kept its promise to restore 
democracy, is accused by opponents of mismanaging the economy and a 
Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand and of serving as a figurehead 
for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is in exile.
For shopkeeper Rai, last week’s action was only a march of a few hundred 
yards, but the act of mass defiance and the occupation of the nation’s 
seat of government are powerful expressions of the political instability 
and social chaos that grip Thailand.
Rai now huddles in a plastic tent alongside other demonstrators and 
their families trying to avoid the heat, monsoonal downpours and the 
noxious mud pit that the manicured grounds of Government House have 
become. She stands in line for meals provided by organizers and sleeps 
on a rattan mat on the ground.
But like many others, Rai, a 50-year-old mother of four, intends to stay 
put until the government steps down.
“We will stay here as long as it takes,” Rai said Tuesday, just hours 
after violent predawn clashes between the protesters and pro-government 
demonstrators left one man dead, three others hospitalized for gunshot 
wounds and nearly 50 injured, according to local reports.
The army has been put in charge of public order, but the top army 
commander, Gen. Anupong Paochida, has said the military will not take 
sides or stage a coup. Thailand has had 18 military takeovers since the 
end of absolute monarchy in 1932.
Although a recent poll by Bangkok University reported that 68% of 
respondents said they disapproved of the People Alliance’s actions, the 
movement’s leaders see the state of emergency declaration as a victory.
The leader of the protests is Thai media baron Sondhi Limthongkul. 
Sondhi and other People’s Alliance leaders have told followers to stay 
calm amid “hundreds of plainclothes police.” Last weekend, Sondhi told 
the crowd: “They may shoot me here.”
People’s Alliance members are described by local news media as mostly 
middle class but also including impoverished people from large cities 
and rural provinces.
Led by Sondhi and discontented people within the old elites in the 
military and palace, they believe Samak plans to amend the constitution 
drafted under military rule after the 2006 coup in order to nullify 
corruption charges against Thaksin. Samak has denied this.
“We entirely expect that we will win,” Rai said, pointing out that the 
National Election Commission has ruled that Samak’s People’s Power Party 
committed electoral fraud and should be dissolved.
As the protests drag on, Thailand is feeling the strain. Recent events 
have tarnished the tourist-friendly reputation of the so-proclaimed 
“Land of Smiles.” Countries such as Singapore, South Korea and Australia 
have issued warnings for travelers.
Last weekend, hundreds of protesters ran onto the runway at the airport 
servicing tourist haven Phuket and refused to move until the facility 
was closed. At another airport, protesters blocked the only road, 
freezing traffic for hours and stranding passengers. As many as 30% of 
the nation’s rail lines have been closed at one time, according to local 
reports.
At the prime minister’s complex, riot police and bands of armed 
pro-government hecklers have encircled the protesters at night, sparking 
clashes. In response, protest leaders have distributed motorcycle 
helmets and makeshift bamboo weapons.
“They come when we are tired,” Rai said. “They think that when we are 
scared, we will leave, and with less people, they can sweep us away. We 
have to stay awake during the night because of violence and in the day 
we are very, very tired.”
But the protesters appear unmoved by perceptions of the crisis that 
Samak has called “embarrassing in front of the world.”
Kritsada Tiyawanit, a 22-year-old university student whose face was 
painted the three colors of the Thai flag, disagreed.
“This is good for Thailand. This is democracy. This is an uprising – our 
uprising.”
Said Rai, “If everybody in the world knows the real situation – they 
would understand. It took us 34 days to remove Thaksin and today it is 
101 for me.
“We won’t stop.”





http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5731983

Thai Leader Refuses to Negotiate With Protesters
Thai leader refuses to negotiate in political crisis as Parliament 
proposes mediation
By VIJAY JOSHI Associated Press Writer
BANGKOK, Thailand September 5, 2008 (AP)

Thailand riot police wait outside Government House in Bangkok Friday, 
Sept. 5, 2008. Prime Minister...
(AP)
Thailand's prime minister said Friday he won't negotiate with protesters 
that have occupied his office in a bid to oust him, as a new mediation 
effort by Parliament raised a glimmer of hope for ending the country's 
political crisis.
The effort by lawmakers to find a solution reflects their growing 
frustration over the crisis, which has virtually paralyzed the 
government for the past 12 days and raised fears of an economic 
downturn, especially in the crucial tourism industry.
The standoff stems from a campaign by the People's Alliance for 
Democracy — a loosely knit group of royalists, wealthy and middle-class 
urban residents, and union activists — to oust Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej and his government, accusing it of corruption and violating 
the constitution.
Samak, who refuses to go, reiterated Friday that he won't negotiate with 
the alliance.
Related

Thai Referendum Upcoming, PM Won't Quit

Thai Foreign Minister Quits, More Protests

WATCH: Bangkok Protests Turn Bloody
"No, that won't be necessary," he told reporters. Samak has said he will 
call a referendum to ask the people if the alliance's campaign is justified.
However, he did not reject outright the new proposal by Parliament to 
let Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet act as a mediator.
The decision to attempt mediation was made by the opposition Democrat 
Party and leaders of the two chambers of Parliament — the Senate and 
House of Representatives.


"The speaker has agreed to find a way to get the two sides to sit down 
and talk to find a way out," Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told 
reporters. He said Prasopsuk will also meet the army chief.
"The legislature can play a role here. The government has proposed a 
referendum but that process would take a long time and may not be ready 
in time to deal with the crisis," Abhisit said.
Alliance leaders have already rejected the referendum, and most analysts 
say it would be a futile exercise and divide the country.
Thousands of alliance members who took over the compound of Samak's 
office, the Government House, on Aug. 26 remain ensconced there under 
makeshift tents. It is the first time in history that the seat of 
government has been overrun by civilians.
Panithan Wattanayagorn, a political analyst from Bangkok's Chulalongkorn 
University, welcomed the mediation idea, saying Prasopsuk has a 
reputation of being fair and honest.

A group of Thai anti-government demonstrator pose for a photograph early 
Friday morning, Sept. 5,...
(AP)
"It now depends on whether the two sides would be willing to talk and 
come up with a solution. It doesn't look like either side would budge 
easily," he said.
The alliance protesters accuse Samak of being a stooge of former Prime 
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from power by a military 
coup in 2006 following months of street protests by the alliance.
Samak came to power in general elections held by the military government 
in December 2007. Alliance leaders say the elections were fraudulent, 
and that Samak is running the government as a proxy for Thaksin while he 
is in exile in Britain.

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1428688.php/Hat_Yai_airport_reopens_after_protest_closure_

Hat Yai airport reopens after protest closure
Asia-Pacific News
Sep 4, 2008, 5:41 GMT
Bangkok - Thailand's Hat Yai International Airport reopened Thursday 
after a two-day closure forced by anti-government protestors.
Thai Airways International PCL, the national carrier, resumed its 
thrice-daily flights to Hat Yai, about 720 kilometres south of Bangkok.
The airport had been closed on and off by anti-government protests since 
Friday when the government dispatched police to Government House in 
Bangkok to evict thousands of protestors with the People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) who seized the Thai government headquarters on August 26 
and have occupied it since.
The airport was reopened over the weekend and then closed again by PAD 
supporters Tuesday after the government declared a state of emergency in 
Bangkok.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Thursday refused to resign despite 
the political crisis that has rocked his administration and left the 
cabinet without offices for 10 days.
Samak called a special cabinet session Thursday to discuss means of 
evicting the PAD from Government House without exacerbating the crisis 
through violence.
The PAD is essentially a conservative Bangkok-based movement that has 
attracted Thailand's urban middle class fed up with corrupt politicians 
and seeking a 'new politics' based on appointments rather than elections.
Critics accused the movement of trying to undermine Thailand's 
elections-based political party system, taking the country back to its 
feudalistic past when the military and bureaucracy led the government.





http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Asia&set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw20080905085334360C547763

Thai students wounded during protest rally

September 05 2008 at 10:48AM

Related Articles
• Thai PM offers unusual compromise
• Thai cabinet floats referendum
• We'll die for King - defiant Thai protesters


Bangkok - Police warned students on Friday to avoid street protests 
after a gunman shot and wounded two students demonstrating against 
Thailand's prime minister, raising new fears of violence in the 
country's tense political crisis.

The attack came after the premier, Samak Sundaravej, proposed a national 
referendum Thursday to decide his political fate, an unconventional 
compromise that was dismissed by critics as a stalling tactic that will 
prolong the unrest.

About 100 students were marching to demonstrate outside Samak's home 
late on Thursday when an unidentified gunman on the back of a motorcycle 
opened fire on the crowd, said police chief Colonel Somsak Bunsaeng of 
the Ladprao station in northeast Bangkok.

One of the students was shot in his left leg, the other in his left arm. 
Police said they were hospitalised but were not seriously hurt.

'The situation is very politically charged.'
Anti-government protesters have occupied Samak's official headquarters, 
Government House, for 11 days, vowing not to leave until he resigns.

Samak imposed a state of emergency on Tuesday after his opponents and 
supporters clashed near Government House in rioting that left one person 
dead and dozens wounded.

The decree gives the military the right to restore order, allows 
authorities to suspend civil liberties and bans public gatherings of 
more than five people.

Police told students after the shooting that under the state of 
emergency their Thursday evening protest was not allowed, said police 
spokesperson Surapol Tuantong.

"We explained to the students last night that the city is under the 
state of emergency - and they understood and dispersed," Surapol said.

'I will not abandon the ship, and I will take responsibility for the 
crew on board'
"The situation is very politically charged. Right now, it's not a good 
idea to gather," he said. "There are many parties involved and when 
something like this happens, it's hard to find the perpetrators."

Shooting incidents are rare in Bangkok, which was calm on Friday with 
business going on as usual in most of the city. Anti-government protests 
have mostly been isolated to the area around Government House.

Samak hopes his proposed referendum will allow him to keep his job while 
placating the People's Alliance for Democracy, which has vowed to 
continue its anti-government campaign.

The referendum will ask the public to choose between the alliance and 
the government, but many analysts say a simple yes-no vote is 
insufficient in the face of a complicated political crisis.

The alliance ridiculed the plan, saying Samak will manipulate the vote, 
just as they allege he did during general elections his party won in 
December 2007.

"The referendum is an attempt by Mr Samak to buy himself some more time 
in the office," Sondhi Limthongkul, a media tycoon and one of the 
protest leaders, told reporters.

Before announcing the referendum, which caught the nation by surprise, 
Samak delivered a combative speech on national radio, again refusing to 
step down.

"I will not abandon the ship, and I will take responsibility for the 
crew on board," Samak said, peppering his speech with folksy language. 
"I am not resigning. I have to protect the democracy of this country."

But some have said the referendum could aggravate rather than alleviate 
the political deadlock.

"A referendum is normally used to test public approval on whether to go 
to war or pass an important law. It would not be effective as a tool to 
solve a complicated political crisis with many conditions and layers," 
said Panithan Wattanayagorn, a political science professor at Bangkok's 
Chulalongkorn University.

The alliance is a loosely knit group of royalists, wealthy and 
middle-class urban residents, and union activists. It wants parliament 
to be revamped so most lawmakers are appointed rather than elected, 
arguing that Thailand's impoverished rural majority is too susceptible 
to vote buying.

The group has already had a hand in bringing down one government, when 
it staged demonstrations in 2006 that paved the way for the bloodless 
coup that removed then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from office.

The protesters say Samak is Thaksin's stooge and is running the 
government for him by proxy while the ousted prime minister is in exile 
in Britain.

The government's failure to resolve the deadlock has also raised fears 
of an economic downturn, especially in Thailand's crucial tourist 
industry, which is particularly susceptible to concerns about political 
instability. - Sapa-AP






http://www.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/International/0,,7778961,00.html

Living conditions bad but Thai protesters stay put
Saturday September 6, 2008 12:31 pm
AP Photo DLL108, DLL101, DLL103< ContentType:Spot Development; 
ContentElement:FullStory; Breaking:True;
By VIJAY JOSHI
Associated Press Writer
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Living conditions at a 12-day-old protest at 
Thailand's Government House were worsening, with thousands camped in mud 
enveloped by the stench of urine, but organizers said Saturday they will 
not leave until the prime minister resigns.
Protest organizers sprayed white disinfectant powder over the muddy, 
stinking ground, which was once a lush green lawn of the Government 
House before the complex, which houses the prime minister's office, was 
taken over by a horde of protesters on Aug. 26.
On Saturday, they were camped in heavy rain under makeshift tents with 
plastic sheets spread over the filthy mixture on the ground. More than 
200 people lined up to get free medicine from makeshift clinics. 
Elsewhere in the compound, hundreds of people lined up to use mobile 
toilets while some men relieved themselves in the open amid the 
pervasive smell.
``It is a bad smell everywhere, but we can stand it. To get this 
government out of office we are even prepared to die,'' said Mananya 
Maksukkha, a 54-year-old schoolteacher.
The standoff stems from a campaign by the People's Alliance for 
Democracy - a loose-knit group of royalists, wealthy and middle-class 
urban residents, and union activists - to oust Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej and his government, accusing it of corruption and violating 
the constitution.
Hundreds of high school and university students joined the protest in 
the pouring rain.
``This is the beginning of an involvement by students to help pressure 
the government,'' said Pentaka Rakanklang, a sophomore at Thammasat 
University. ``We hope more students will come out to join us and express 
their views.''
Until recently, students have not played a significant role in the 
current anti-government movement.
The deadlock has virtually paralyzed government work and raised fears of 
an economic downturn, especially in the crucial tourism industry. It has 
also raised concern about Thailand's ability to hold a summit of 
Southeast Asian leaders in December.
A glimmer of hope for ending the crisis was raised Friday when 
Parliament appointed Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet to act as a mediator.
Samak, who refuses to resign, reiterated Friday that he will not 
negotiate with the alliance but did not reject outright Prasopsuk's effort.
The alliance welcomed Prasopsuk's appointment, but said it will hold 
negotiations with the government only after Samak resigns.
``We cannot do anything against the will of people who are determined to 
protest until our goal is reached,'' Chamlong Srimuang, one of the five 
core protest leaders, told reporters.
The protesters accuse Samak of being a stooge of former Prime Minister 
Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from power by a military coup in 
2006 following months of street protests by the alliance.
On Friday, Samak said he will meet with security officials in the next 
few days to discuss whether to lift the state of emergency he imposed in 
Bangkok on Tuesday.
---
Associated Press writers Sutin Wannabovorn and Ambika Ahuja contributed 
to this report.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/07/politics/politics_30082773.php

Students divided 0ver PAD protest
By The Sunday Nation
Published on September 7, 2008
Some have serious reservations about 'new politics' proposal

University students are split over whether to throw their support behind 
the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
One group said it would boycott classes next week in a show of support 
for the PAD, while another is against the PAD, arguing its proposal for 
"new politics" is undemocratic.
According to the PAD proposal, only 30 per cent of MPs should be elected 
and the rest appointed from professional groups.
Yesterday, a new group of college students calling itself Yaowachon Koo 
Chart (Young PAD Group) said some 80 to 100 students from 80 
universities throughout the Kingdom would not report to classes from 
Tuesday until Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigned.
"We're not following a trend in siding with the PAD," Kulthip 
Karn-samrit, a leader of the group, said. "But we want to be with the 
right side."
At the opposite pole is the Students' Federation of Thailand, the 
King-dom's largest umbrella group of students from 39 institutions and 
with a long history of democratic struggle. It rules out support for the 
PAD because its "new politics" theory - where 70 per cent of MPs will be 
appointed - is undemocratic.
"We disagree with the PAD and the crux of it is with the [new politics] 
issue. The PAD's demand for the resignation of the PM or for the 
dissolution of the House is, however, within the democratic framework," 
Artef Sohko, its secretary-general, told The Sunday Nation.
Artef said those students wanting to support or join the PAD could do so 
but he urged students to think deeply about the implication of the PAD's 
proposal.
He added that a majority of university students were unsure how to 
resolve the political stalemate.
The SFT, which will hold a news conference at Thammasat University 
today, is also opposed to the state of emergency, but it wants the nine 
PAD leaders to report to the police to hear government charges.
Elsewhere, a lecturer of medicine at Chulalongkorn University issued a 
statement calling on Samak to resign.
Tul Sitthisomwon demanded that the state-run NBT TV station stops being 
a a mouthpiece for the government.
Meanwhile, students have been gathering signatures at Thammasat 
University's Rangsit campus to seek impeachment of the premier. They had 
collected 1,000 in four hours.
Ramkhamhaeng University students will visit National Police 
Head-quarters today to see if there's any progress in the shooting case 
against two of their colleagues. They vow to lay a wreath if there's no 
progress.
Yesterday evening, about 1,000 college students gathered near Makkhawan 
Bridge, demanding that Samak step down. The so-called Young PAD Group 
defied the emergency rule imposed by the government which bars a 
political gathering of more than five persons.





http://www.bangkokpost.com/040908_News/04Sep2008_news15.php

Protests over clash mar debate
MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

The House debate on the 1.835-trillion-baht Budget Bill for 2009 fiscal 
year was launched amid a commotion and noisy protests yesterday with 
opposition Democrat MPs attempting to turn the session into a discussion 
forum on the political standoff. The ruckus began when Democrat list-MP 
Suwaroj Palang proposed an inquiry into allegations that certain MPs of 
the People Power party (PPP) had engineered a violent confrontation 
between pro- and anti-government demonstrators.
Opposition chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey accused a cabinet minister of 
having a hand in the pro-government protest, saying he was seen 
discussing the political situation with PPP MPs on the day of the clash 
before the violence erupted.
Democrat and Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva asked House Speaker 
Chai Chidchob to launch an investigation into Mr Sathit's claim.

Sathit: Links cabinet minister to clash Surapong: Hits back at Somkiat 
of PAD
PPP MP for Chiang Mai Surapong Towichakchaikul hit back, directing his 
attack at Democrat MP Somkiat Pongpaiboon, a core member of the 
anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Mr Chai tried to bring the chamber back to its agenda by proposing he 
discuss possible arrangements with the senate speaker and opposition 
leader for a fresh debate on political problems.
The debate on the Budget Bill was disrupted when Democrat MP Boonyod 
Sukthinthai proposed that Democrat MPs be allowed to observe a minute's 
silence to pay respects to the man who died in Tuesday's clash.
PPP MP for Maha Sarakham Suthin Khlangsang disagreed and accused the 
Democrat party of using the death to shore up its image.
The debate on the Budget Bill was often disrupted as government and 
opposition MPs abandoned the formal agenda and traded barbs and accusations.





http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/373575/1/.html

Thai FM hands in resignation as protesters refuse to budge
Posted: 03 September 2008 2114 hrs

Thai anti-government protesters cheer during a speech by one of their 
leaders

BANGKOK - Thailand's foreign minister handed in his resignation 
Wednesday a day after the prime minister clamped emergency rule on 
Bangkok following deadly clashes and days of protests against his rule.

An aide to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who would not be named, told 
AFP that Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag submitted his resignation citing 
his wife's ill health, but it has yet to be accepted by the prime minister.

Samak is fighting to rally support in the face of thousands of 
protesters who have besieged his empty government offices for the past 
week, calling on him to resign.

Early Tuesday, the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy clashed 
with government supporters in Bangkok, leaving one man dead and 44 
people injured, prompting Samak to impose emergency rule across the 
capital.

Thailand's political stalemate showed no sign of easing up on Wednesday, 
even as a national strike threatened by utility workers flopped.

Unions representing 200,000 employees at state enterprises had 
threatened to make crippling cuts to water and power supplies 
nationwide. But few workers heeded their call, with services running as 
usual.

Some workers who began disrupting train services last week returned to 
the job Wednesday, the State Railway of Thailand said, adding that 
operations had actually improved, with trains suspended only in southern 
provinces.

Flag carrier Thai Airways reported no disruptions and transport 
authorities in Bangkok said public buses were running as usual.

But the thousands of activists who stormed Samak's official compound 10 
days ago refused to budge, raising fears of new violence despite the 
capital now being essentially under military control.

Political gatherings are banned and the army is empowered to suspend 
civil liberties.

But while the protesters have defied the ban on assembly, the army 
chief, General Anupong Paojinda, said he would use talks rather than 
violence to end the siege.

The military has made no move to evict activists squatting in the 
Government House compound, and one of the key protest leaders said they 
would only open negotiations if Samak resigns.

"Our stand is always firm -- that Mr Samak has to go. If Mr Samak 
doesn't go we will not talk to anybody," said media mogul Sondhi 
Limthongkul, who has spearheaded the movement.

No soldiers were seen around the protest site Wednesday, where 5,000 
activists had again slept on the Government House lawn -- now little 
more than a smelly mass of mud after days of occupation with little 
sanitation.

One senior aide to Samak told reporters that the premier was surprised 
that Anupong had not taken any action against the protesters.

"Anupong should not be a mediator," the official said, speaking on 
condition of anonymity. "What are the military playing at?"

Samak's state of emergency has sharply split Thais, according to a 
survey of Thailand's 16 biggest provinces by Assumption University, 
which found 50.8 per cent of people questioned supported the decision.

The turmoil has also battered Thailand's stock market, which has fallen 
24 per cent since protests first broke out in May.

The PAD's protesters accuse Samak of acting as a puppet for Thaksin, who 
has fled to Britain to escape corruption charges. Samak also faces a 
barrage of legal cases that could bring down his government.

The PAD wants to weaken the voting power of the rural poor, who form the 
base of support for both Samak and Thaksin, by appointing rather than 
electing 70 per cent of parliamentarians.

Such a change would undo most of Thailand's democratic development over 
the last three decades. The kingdom has only ever had a shaky hold on 
democracy, with 18 military coups since absolute monarchy ended in 1932.

"All these calls for Samak to resign now constitute a litmus test for 
Thailand's democratic system," said political analyst Thitinan 
Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University.

"If the PAD remains intransigent and gets its way, that would mean Samak 
is ousted and PAD is unlikely to stop there. Ultimately they're going 
far to the right, taking Thailand back to the dark ages."

- AFP/ir






http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2008/09/200893132011321614.html

Thai protesters defy emergency law

Protesters say they are fighting "the last war" against the government [EPA]

Thousands of anti-government protesters have continued to occupy the 
grounds of the Thai prime minister's office as the threat of a public 
sector strike spreads 24 hours after a state of emergency was declared 
in the capital.
Samak Sundaravej, the Thai prime minister, declared the state of 
emergency for Bangkok on Tuesday, a week after tens of thousands of 
demonstrators led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) laid 
siege to his official compound.
But the military, given charge of restoring order, has yet to move on 
the protesters.
The emergency rule came after political tensions exploded into rioting 
and street fighting between Samak's supporters and opponents early this 
week, leaving at least one person dead and dozens more injured.
The protesters continue to demand Samak's resignation. But in a change 
of tack, they indicated on Wednesday that they would no longer demand 
his government quit as well.
In depth

Timeline: Political crisis

Profile: The PAD

The move could undermine support from Samak's coalition partners and put 
more pressure on him to go.
Samak is accused of being a stooge to Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime 
minister ousted in a coup in 2006, and of running the government for him 
by proxy.

Tej Bunnag, the foreign minister, resigned on Wednesday but Samak has 
yet to accept his resignation, an aide said.

The aide, who refused to be named, told the AFP news agency that Tej had 
tendered his resignation because of his wife's ill health.

Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the protest leaders, said the protesters "will 
not hold talks with the government or anyone" until the prime minister 
steps down.
But there is no indication that Samak will resign.
The standoff has forced Samak to conduct official business from the 
city's military headquarters.
Tourism threatened
The growing unrest in the Thai capital is now threatening to cripple the 
country's vital tourism business as 12 countries have issued warnings 
for their citizens not to travel there.


The military has not moved on the protesters so far [EPA]
Al Jazeera's Selina Downes, reporting from Bangkok, said tensions in the 
capital showed no signs of abating.
Public sector employees have also threatened to disrupt transportation 
services and cut off water and power supply to government offices.
On Wednesday the 200,000-strong State Enterprises Workers' Relations 
Confederation called for a strike to bolster street protesters' demands.
But Thai officials said on Wednesday that there were so far no reports 
of any disruption and that most employees had turned up for work and the 
services were running as usual.
Last week railway workers disrupted train services, with service 
suspended on nearly half of Thailand's lines over the weekend.
Samak also faces a legal challenge after the country's election 
commission recommended that his People's Power party (PPP) be disbanded 
for alleged electoral fraud committed during December's elections.
The commission on Tuesday forwarded its findings to the 
attorney-general's office to decide whether to submit the case to the 
constitutional court for a final ruling.
Samak and other party leaders would be banned from politics for five 
years if the ruling is upheld, although other members could form a new 
party and retain power by winning new elections.
Tuesday's move was reminiscent of the court dissolving of Thaksin's Thai 
Rak Thai party last year. The party later regrouped under the PPP flag.






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/thailand/2008/09/03/173074/Thai-labor.htm

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 0:00 am TWN, By SUTIN WANNABOVORN, AP
Thai labor strike fizzles out but anti-government protesters remain defiant
BANGKOK, Thailand -- A labor strike fizzled out Wednesday but protesters 
demanding the prime minister's resignation refused to lift their 
weeklong siege of his office, defying an emergency decree that has 
intensified Thailand's political deadlock.
The Federation of State Enterprises comprising 43 unions had planned to 
lead more than 200,000 workers in a strikes to crimp the supplies of 
power and water to government offices, and disrupt telecommunications 
and rail, road and air transport.
But few services were disrupted by the protesters, who want to oust 
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej from office, accusing him of corruption, 
violating the Constitution and making questionable appointments to 
senior government positions.
Sawit Khaewwan, the federation's secretary-general, said thousands 
stayed away from their jobs but acknowledged that a majority of the 
members were at work. He said that essential services were not hit.
"We already said that we will (go on a strike) only if the government 
uses force to harm the people," he said.
The anti-Samak campaign is led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, 
which comprises leftist labor union leaders, urban elite and civil 
society activists, among others.
Thousands of PAD supporters remained camped in the sprawling grounds 
around Samak's office, the Government House, in a virtual siege that 
started on Aug. 26. Speakers took turns to get up on a stage and 
denounce Samak.
"The PAD will not hold talks with the government or anyone," said Somsak 
Kosaisuk, one of the five core leaders of the group. "The PAD will talk 
only after Samak has resigned," he said.
The PAD was formed in 2006 to demand the resignation of then-Prime 
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, eventually paving the way for a bloodless 
coup that ousted him. Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon, recently 
fled to Britain to escape corruption charges. The protesters say Samak 
is Thaksin's stooge and is running the government for him by proxy.
However, there is no indication Samak will step down. He imposed 
emergency rule limited to the capital Bangkok on Tuesday. The move came 
after a week of political tensions exploded into rioting and street 
fighting early Tuesday between Samak's supporters and opponents that 
left one person dead and dozens injured.
Emergency rule gives the military the right to restore order, allows 
authorities to suspend civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more 
than five people and bars the media from reporting news that "causes 
panic."
Still, the army chief, Gen. Anupong Paochinda, made it clear that if 
troops are ordered into Bangkok's streets, they will be armed only with 
riot shields and batons, and will not use force.
Anupong's assurance has turned the emergency decree into "toilet paper," 
said Sirinan Yodkongkha, a 45-year-old business woman.
"The state of emergency has ended up drawing a bigger crowd rather than 
scaring protesters away," said Sirinan, one of several thousand people 
camped out at the Government House despite a morning downpour.
Scattered around the rounds, people rested in hammocks and helped 
themselves to a variety of Thai food, some distributed for free and some 
on sale at food stalls.
Water trucks continued to deliver new shipments of drinking water to 
keep protesters hydrated and hygiene trucks came to clean the portable 
toilets that were trucked into the compound several days ago.
New barbed-wire barricades were erected at the approaches to Bangkok's 
international Suvarnabhumi Airport, where protesters had threatened to 
disrupt flights on national carrier Thai Airways. But there was no sign 
of trouble and flights continued normally.
The threat to cut off water and electricity supply to government 
buildings also did not materialize.
"We don't know when we are going to start because we have to weigh our 
options and consider the effect it will have on the people as well," 
said Somchai Sirimivet, head of the union for Metropolitan WaterWorks 
Authority.
In a front-page editorial, the Bangkok Post daily said it is true that 
Samak's People's Power Party won the most seats in general elections 
last year.
"But winning the election does not mean his government has a mandate to 
break the law," it said.
It cited the Election Commission's recommendation Tuesday that his party 
be disbanded for fraud during elections last year. Samak and other party 
leaders would be banned from politics for five years if judicial 
authorities upheld the ruling.
"Even though we disagree with the PAD holding the country and the people 
to ransom ... we agree that the PAD has every right to protest against 
the government," the Post said.







http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30082419

500 protesters demonstrate at Chmphon city hall

Chumphon - Some 500 protesters broke into the compound of the city hall 
to demonstrate against the government and demand the lifting of state of 
emergency in Bangkok.

Sunthorn Rakrong, a coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, 
said PAD supporters in Chumphon would continue the demonstration at the 
city hall until the demands of PAD in Bangkok were met.

He said PAD supporters in all 14 southern provinces would do the same.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30082293

More people join protest despite ban

At 10:30 am, more people still join the protests at the Government House.

Protesters arrived in groups of three or four people on the sides of 
Chamai Maruchet Bridge and Nakhon Pathom Road.

They carried foods supplies and water to give to the staff in charge of 
cooking.








http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-09/02/content_9755591.htm

One killed, 44 injured in early protesters clashes in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed, 44 others were 
injured in violent clashes between the pro- and anti-government 
demonstrators in the early hours of Tuesday, according to the updated 
casualty report by Medical Service Department.

Government supporters lie injured after clashes with anti-government 
demonstrators several blocks from the Government House in Bangkok early 
morning September 2, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Of the 44 injured people, 12 remained hospitalized at six hospitals in 
Bangkok, DR Peerapong Saichua, deputy director of the department, was 
quoted by a Bangkok Post website report as saying.
The dead man was identified as Narongsak Kothaisong, 55, from 
northeastern province Nakhon Ratchasima, who had just arrived in Bangkok 
to join the anti-government protest led by The People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) protest on Monday before deadly wounded in clashes with 
the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD) after 1:00 a.m. 
Tuesday (1800 GMT, Monday).
Pongphet Emergency Center, where the victim died while being treated, 
reported that he died of a gunshot wound in his chest.
However, DR Peerapong said he died of head trauma after being hit with a 
heavy object.

Violence broke out when the DAAD-led pro-government protesters, 
estimated at some 3,000 people, marched after midnight towards the 
Government House compound, which has been occupied by PAD protesters 
since Aug. 26 in its showdown attempt to oust the Samak cabinet, and 
confronted with the PAD guards who tried blocking them from getting into 
the compound. Some protesters, from either side, were armed with sticks, 
batons, clubs and even Molotov cocktails.
The violence has gave grounds to Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to 
declare a state of emergency in Bangkok Tuesday morning.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30082285

Krabi protesters block airport, city hall

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy in Krabi staged 
protested against the announcement of stage of emergency in Bangkok by 
briefly blocking the airport Tuesday morning.

They later moved to rally at the Krabi city hall.

Their leaders said they might also block major roads in the province.

The Nation






http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,20797,24280334-5003402,00.html?from=public_rss

Dozens injured in Bangkok protest
Article from: Agence France-Presse
September 02, 2008 06:44am
THAI police called in army reinforcements early today as violent clashes 
between protesters in Bangkok left dozens of people injured, with at 
least one reported killed, officials said.
Gunshots were reportedly fired as thousands of baton-wielding pro and 
anti-government protesters clashed in the capital Bangkok.
The violence took place not far from the site where about 15,000 
demonstrators have been besieging Government House for a week, demanding 
that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej step down.
"Thousands of protesters from Sanam Luang went to the scene and 
clashed," the police officer in charge of the area said, referring to a 
plaza where protesters often gather.
"There were reports of gunfire, but police cannot confirm who fired or 
how many were injured.
"The police took about 15 minutes to break up the groups," said the 
officer, who did not wish to be named as he was not authorised to speak 
to the media.
Thailand's national police chief Patcharavat Wongsuwan told a local news 
channel that the army had been called in to help calm the situation, but 
that invoking a state of emergency was not necessary.
"The number of police is still enough to take care of the situation but 
we have asked the assistance from the army to help," he said.
Peeratong Saichoew, a doctor with the Bangkok administration's media 
reporting bureau, said early reports were that one person had died.
"Initial reports which need to be confirmed later are that one died and 
38 were injured. There is a report that one person was injured from 
gunshots while the rest were injured from fighting. Now they are being 
treated at six hospitals nearby," he said.
Thai television showed men wearing helmets and carrying batons and 
people bleeding in the street.
Supporters of the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy have been 
squatting at Government House since last Tuesday. Tensions flared when 
they briefly scuffled with police on Friday.





http://story.irishsun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/2411cd3571b4f088/id/401579/cs/1/

Anti-government protest enters 100th day in Thailand
Irish Sun
Monday 1st September, 2008
(IANS)
A protest calling for the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej and dissolution of his government entered its 100th day 
Monday, with thousands of demonstrators in command of Government House - 
the administrative seat.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a loose coalition of 
conservative groups opposed to the current government, has been staging 
peaceful anti-government demonstrations on Rajdamnoen Avenue in the old 
section of Bangkok since May 25.

Last Tuesday, in what the PAD dubbed 'D-Day', the movement rallied more 
than 10,000 supporters who stormed the Government House and seized the 
cabinet's working headquarters.

The protestors have occupied the seat of government for a week Monday, 
and show no signs of leaving.

Chamlong Srimuang, one PAD leader, described as 'useless' a special 
joint session held Sunday by both houses of parliament to resolve the 
standoff.

Chamlong Monday rejected calls by the pro-government United Front of 
Democracy Against Dictatorship, another mob, to withdraw from the compound.

Efforts by police to forcibly oust the demonstrators from Government 
House Friday failed.

The show of force drew immediate criticism from a broad swathe of Thai 
society, and prompted PAD supporters to raid and shut down three 
airports in southern Thailand. The three airports at Hat Yai, Krabi and 
Phuket all reopened Sunday.

The labour union of the government-run State Railways of Thailand (SRT) 
also went on strike Friday, while on Monday, the SRT was operating only 
129 of its 244 trains.

The SRT board resigned en masse Monday, after the state enterprise 
reported a 60-million-baht ($1.9 million) loss due to the partial strike.

Labour union leaders at the capital's state-run electricity and water 
utilities have threatened to shut down services, should the government 
resort to violence in attempting to end the PAD protest at Government House.

Thai premier Samak is faced with a difficult dilemma: if he cracks down 
on the PAD, there will be a political backlash; but if he allows them to 
continue occupying his offices, he looks weak.

Political analysts said the Thai military is unlikely to assist Samak in 
getting rid of the PAD, which claims to be a staunchly monarchist 
movement devoted to cleaning up Thai politics.

The PAD was a significant movement two and a half years ago, as the 
spearhead to topple former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire 
populist politician who dominated Thai politics from 2001 to 2006.

Thaksin was overthrown by a military coup Sep 19, 2006.

The PAD claims Samak is a stand-in for Thaksin, who is now living in 
self-exile in London.







http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-09/01/content_9750563.htm

Thai state railway board resigns after labour union joins anti-gov't 
protest

BANGKOK, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Board members of the State Railway of 
Thailand (SRT) on Monday resigned en masse after its labor union joined 
anti-government protests by taking on a strike, paralyzing nearly half 
of train services nationwide for the fifth consecutive day.
SRT Board Chairman Somsak Boonthong announced that all board members 
decided to resign to take responsibility for the strike, which had left 
many passengers stranded at train stations in the past few days, 
according to Thai News Agency.
Somsak was quoted as saying that the board didn't agree with the labor 
union, who linked the country's political issues to their jobs and 
caused much trouble to the public.
The SRT labour union, whose leaders were said to have close relation 
with the anti-government civil coalition the People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD), had called on its members to take sick-leaves effective 
from last Friday to show support for the PAD-led protesters. The 
protesters launched their "final showdown" against the government by 
raiding a state-run TV station and seizing the Government House on Aug. 
19 and have occupied the Government House compound for five days, 
demanding Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet to resign.
Seventy-six SRT rail route services nationwide were disrupted, with many 
services suspended altogether, paralyzing railway cargo transport, the 
report said.
Out of 244 trains nationwide, 115 trains have stopped operation so far. 
However, it was reported that the northern route had resumed service at 
10:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) Monday morning.
More trains in northern routes were expected to resume operation Monday 
afternoon.
Meanwhile, SRT governor Yutthana Thapcharoen negotiated with 
representatives of railway union in Nakhon Sawan province in the North 
and Saraburi in the central region, attempting to get technical and 
engineering staff to resume services of at least 40-50 trains a day.
The railway strike has caused losses of more than 60 million baht (1.76 
million U.S. dollars) to the SRT directly.






http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/01/thailand1?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

Bomb targets police in Thai protests
Government accuses anti-PM campaigners of launching guerrilla war
• David Pallister and agencies
• guardian.co.uk, Monday 1 September 2008 11.54 BST
• Article history

Members of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) 
wave flags during a demonstration outside Government House in Bangkok, 
Thailand. Photograph: Udo Weitz/EPA
Anti-government protests across Thailand entered a seventh day today 
with threats by unions to cut water and power supplies to government 
buildings if the authorities use force.
As thousands of demonstrators remained in the main government compound 
in Bangkok this morning, a small bomb exploded in a police booth in the 
city. The blast damaged windows, but caused no injuries.
This development prompted a senior government source to claim that the 
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) campaigners were taking protests 
to another level.
"The PAD has launched a guerrilla war," the source said.
"They want to show that the government and the police are too weak to 
protect the people," the national police spokesman Surapol Thuanthong 
told Reuters. "It is something we expected."
But General Jongrak Jutanond, who was named Bangkok's new police chief 
today after his predecessor was sidelined, repeated the government's 
line about police restraint. "We have enough reinforcements to prevent 
violence and to disperse protesters. Police will not harm the protesters."
A PAD spokesman denied any responsibility for the bombing.
"We had no reason to do that. It would only scare away protesters, not 
bring more people to join. We have other effective civil disobedience 
measures to fight the government without planting a bomb," Parnthep 
Pourpongpan said.
The PAD, a group of conservative businessmen and activists whose 
campaign against the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra led to his 
overthrow in a 2006 coup, has always espoused peaceful protest, although 
last week men used knives and clubs to storm the state television centre.
The protests are the climax of a campaign calling for the resignation of 
the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, who is accused of being an 
illegitimate proxy for Thaksin and his perceived corrupt regime. 
Thaksin, who owns Manchester City football club, is in exile in London.
Trade union support for the protesters continues to grow, with railway, 
water and power workers taking part. Hundreds of employees of the State 
Railways of Thailand continued a strike that has halted service on 
dozens of train lines, cutting off most long-distance connections 
between Bangkok and the far northern and southern parts of the country.
Somchai Srinewest, the head of the union at Thailand's Waterworks 
Authority, said: "The tap water at the national police headquarters and 
at provincial administration offices will be cut off starting Monday."
Sirichai Maingam, the union leader at the state power producer Egat, 
urged back-room staff to take a holiday but said production workers 
would carry on as normal. "We are not going to hurt the people as our 
strike aim is to slow down the government's work," he said.
In one positive development, there was temporary relief for thousands of 
tourists stranded in the country. Airport blockades were lifted on 
Sunday at Phuket and Krabi, two of Thailand's popular beach destinations.
In his weekly radio address on Sunday, Samak repeated that his patience 
was wearing out. "I am not afraid but I am concerned about chaos in the 
nation," he said. "We cannot let the seizure of Government House 
continue indefinitely without taking action."
During an emergency debate in parliament he accused protesters of 
wanting to destroy democracy. " I love this country as much as anybody. 
But I love democracy much more, more than anyone who told me to resign.
"I will not resign or dissolve parliament. I will not be defeated by 
those protesters," he said.






http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/373187/1/.html

One dead, dozens wounded as Thai protesters clash
Posted: 02 September 2008 0446 hrs


BANGKOK: Thousands of pro- and anti-government protesters clashed 
violently in the Thai capital early on Tuesday, leaving dozens wounded 
and one person reported dead, officials said.

Thailand's police chief said he had called in army reinforcements to 
help quell the unrest, which occurred when groups of protesters calling 
for the prime minister's resignation clashed with government supporters.

"Initial reports which need to be confirmed later are that one died and 
38 were injured," said Peeratong Saichoew, a doctor with the Bangkok 
administration's media reporting bureau.

"There is a report that one person was injured from gunshots while the 
rest injured from fighting. Now they are being treated at six hospitals 
nearby."

Thai television showed men wearing helmets and carrying batons and 
people bleeding in the street, and national police chief Patcharavat 
Wongsuwan told a local news channel the army had been called in to help 
calm the situation.

"The number of police is still enough to take care of the situation but 
we have asked the assistance from the army to help," he said.

The violence took place not far from the site where about 15,000 
demonstrators have been besieging Government House for a week, demanding 
that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej step down.

The activists accuse Samak of acting as a puppet for ousted prime 
minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who now lives in exile in Britain after the 
same protest group helped topple his government in 2006.

Meanwhile, Thailand's biggest union on Monday called for a strike to 
support the anti-government protesters.

The 200,000-strong State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation 
said it would cut power and water supplies to government agencies "to 
put pressure on the government to quit and stop damaging our country."

The confederation's members have never taken strike action en masse, 
despite threats from their leadership.

One top government official accused the protesters of "guerrilla 
warfare," urging the workers not to join the protests that have already 
won support from railway crews who have crippled national train services 
since Thursday.

"We think that their strategy is guerrilla warfare," the official told 
reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Tuesday's violence was the worst since the start of the campaign to oust 
Samak, although protesters clashed with riot police on Friday, causing 
minor injuries.

The anti-government activists have also taken their campaign to the 
provinces, closing key regional airports for two days, including the 
nation's second-busiest hub on the resort isle of Phuket.

Samak called an emergency session of parliament on Sunday, but the 
debate failed to produce any plan for ending the protests and the 
premier angrily rejected calls to dissolve parliament and hold new 
elections.

"Why are the only solutions house dissolution and resignation? Why can't 
we choose the third option, which is to show the world that we maintain 
our democracy," he said.

The leaders of the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have 
already said that they would not accept a parliamentary solution to the 
crisis.

In addition to demanding that Samak resign, they want an overhaul of 
Thailand's system of government, saying only 30 percent of seats in 
parliament should be elected, with the rest appointed.

PAD gathers most of its support from Bangkok's traditional elite and a 
portion of the middle class. Its leaders openly disparage the merit of 
votes cast by the nation's rural poor, who have thrown their support 
behind Thaksin and now Samak.

Thaksin was toppled by royalist generals in a military coup in 2006, and 
is now living in exile in Britain to avoid corruption charges at home.

But his allies still fill many top seats in government, and Samak won 
elections in December by campaigning as Thaksin's proxy. - AFP/de






http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,414601,00.html

Thai Protesters Threaten to Cut Off Utilities, Disrupt Airline Services
Monday, September 01, 2008

AP

Aug. 30: Anti-government demonstrators carry donated supplies to 
protesters camped outside of government buildings.
BANGKOK, Thailand — State workers threatened Monday to cut off water, 
electricity and phone service at government offices and disrupt flights 
of the national airline in support of protesters trying to bring down 
the Thai prime minister.
A coalition of 43 unions representing workers from state companies 
including water, electric, phone and the national airline said they 
would cut off services to the government starting Wednesday. They are 
already disrupting rail service and plan to cut back public bus 
transportation as well.
"The government has beaten protesters, and that justifies our 
retaliating by stopping water, telephone service and electricity to some 
government agencies," Sawit Kaewwan, secretary-general of the State 
Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation, or SERC, told a news conference.
The labor federation said 200,000 members would stop work from Wednesday 
in support of an alliance of right-wing protesters who have occupied 
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's office for a week, trying to bring 
down the government.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a rowdy crowd of about 500 Samak 
supporters — some carrying sticks and wearing helmets — tried to rout 
members of the People's Alliance for Democracy from the Government House 
compound. Police and anti-government protesters stopped them and 
fighting between the two sides ensued.
One person died from severe head injuries and four others were in 
serious condition, two with gunshot wounds, Dr. Petchapon 
Kumtonkitjakarn of the Erawan Medical Center told The Associated Press. 
He said 37 people were being treated for injuries at several hospitals.
The alliance claims the government is corrupt and too close to ex-Prime 
Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and 
recently fled to Britain to escape an array of corruption charges. The 
same group organized the massive anti-Thaksin demonstrations in 2006 
that helped spark the bloodless coup.
The group and its sympathizers — monarchists, the military and the urban 
elite — complain that Western-style democracy with one-man, one-vote 
gives too much weight to Thailand's rural majority, who protesters say 
are susceptible to vote buying that breeds corruption. They have 
proposed a system under which most lawmakers would be appointed rather 
than elected.
The prime minister has repeatedly insisted he will not bow to pressure 
by resigning or dissolving parliament to call new elections.
"I am sure that I love this country as much as anybody," Samak said at a 
joint session of the upper and lower houses of parliament convened to 
debate solutions to the deadlock. "But I love democracy much more, more 
than anyone who told me to resign."
Sawit and others laid out plans for the work stoppage by state employees 
but did not say how long the action would last.
Public bus workers will halt service on 80 percent of Bangkok's 3,800 
buses, with the remainder running for free, he said.
Workers for state-owned Thai Airways plan to delay flights Wednesday, 
said Somsak Manop, deputy chief of Thai Airways International labor union.
Hundreds of employees from the State Railways of Thailand continued a 
strike Monday that has halted service on 93 train lines, cutting off 
most long-distance service between Bangkok and the far-northern and 
southern parts of the country, said spokesman Phairath Rojjaroenngam. 
More than half of the 76 cargo trains scheduled Monday were also not 
running.
There was no schedule for restoring service, which has been disrupted 
since the strike started Friday.
Three airports in southern Thailand were also forced to close by 
protesters this weekend.
"If they continue to defiantly hold on to power even after the general 
strike on Sept. 3, the alliance will have no choice but to step up the 
pressure on them," Suriyasai Katasila, one of the protest leaders, said 
of the government.
Protesters began occupying the prime minister's office on Aug. 26 and 
have tried block streets in the capital. The alliance has been able to 
call out as many as 30,000 supporters, according to an early government 
estimate, to besiege Samak's office and blockade other public areas.
Sondhi Limthongkul, the senior protest leader, said he liked the idea of 
shutting down public services even it might anger and inconvenience many 
Thais.
"I think it's one way of putting pressure on the government," Sondhi 
told reporters. "At the end of the day, they will see whether it's me 
who is the problem or Mr. Samak. All we want is Mr. Samak to go. When 
Samak goes, we stop."
At the prime minister's residence, several thousand protesters spread 
out across courtyards, gardens and park benches, cheering and clapping 
as speaker after speaker called for Samak to resign.
Flanked by the Thai national flag, huge photos of the king and queen and 
"most wanted" posters of Thaksin and his wife, protesters said they had 
no grand scheme to reinvent government. They just want the current 
government tossed out.
"The Cabinet must resign and they all must be imprisoned," said Thiwa 
Thongkaew, a 43-year-old office worker from the tourist resort of Krabi.





http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_world.php?id=356529

September 01, 2008 11:40 AM
Thai Anti-govt Protests Keep Rail Services Down, Disrupt Oil Production
By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- The train service between Bangkok and 
Malaysia's Penang remains suspended as Thailand's anti-government 
protests continue to paralyse the railway service, affecting thousands 
of passengers and even disrupting onshore oil production in northern 
Thailand.

Thanongsak Phongprasert, chief of the Southern Centre of the State 
Railways of Thailand (SRT), said railway workers had not come to work 
since Friday and there was no indication when the service would resume.

He said that besides the daily Bangkok-Penang service that takes about 
20 hours, about 20 train services were also affected in the country's 
southern region.

"About 7,000 passengers are affected daily as our train services run up 
to Sungai Golok in Narathiwat (on the Malaysia-Thailand border)," he 
said when contacted in Hatyai.

Beginning Friday, SRT workers took sick leave en masse to support the 
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which has been staging a protest 
against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's government since May 25, and 
led a siege on the country's nerve centre of administration, the 
Government House, on Aug 26.

In Bangkok, passengers with tickets for the Bangkok-Penang train service 
were advised to look for alternative transportation.

"Those who have already bought tickets can come to Hua Lamphong train 
station to get a refund," an SRT spokesman said.

The Phuket and Krabi international airports resumed operation today 
after they were forced to close by protesters on Friday and Saturday, 
while Hatyai Airport started operation on Saturday after a one-day shutdown.

The ongoing railway strike is also disrupting oil production in the 
country's biggest onshore well, the Sirikit Oilfield, located in 
Phitsanulok province, 377 km north of Bangkok.

PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) has cut down its daily oil output 
from about 20,000 barrels per day to just 3,000 due to the difficulty in 
transporting the oil to refining facilities in Bangkok, while production 
of LPG and NGV gas was going on as these are used by the electricity 
utility firm, EGAT, for consumption in the northern part.

A PTTEP spokesman, who confirmed the reduction in output, said they 
could not transport the crude oil without the railway service, adding 
that they were losing millions in revenue as only 3,000 barrels could be 
ferried daily by trucks.

-- BERNAMA





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30082259

Number of injured protesters rises to 40

The number of protesters injured in the clash between the pro and 
anti-government protesters rose to 40, health officials said.

Five were admitted to Ramathibodi Hospital, 5 to Hua Chiew Hospital, 1 
to Mission Hospital, 2 to Central Hospital, 1 to Rajvithi Hospital, 1 to 
Siriraj Hospital and 25 to Vachira Hospital.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30082249

Pro-government protesters erect tents near Government House

Pro-government protesters erect tents near a boxing stadium, about 200 
metres from the Government House which has been seized by 
anti-government protesters.
Hundreds of the pro-government protesters tried to provoke the 
protesters in the Government House and guards of the protesters by 
yelling at them and throwing stones.

Two molotov cocktails were thrown from the pro-government protesters to 
a soi where PAD guards were deployed. No injuries were reported






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/16/national/national_30083527.php

Marathon protesters call time out on field of swill
By Daily Xpress
Published on September 16, 2008
PAD leadership works with pros to ensure there's no epidemic

A big clean up has started at Government House.

The PAD worries its protest site is such a pig sty people will start 
getting sick.
Since August 26, thousands of demonstrators have been camped in mud and 
muck, come rain or shine.Their presence is causing untold headaches for 
the government. Many state workers cannot get to their offices at the 
building.
The once pristine grounds are a stinking quagmire.
Just 10 days into the siege, all the fish in the pond had died because 
the water had become a rancid, toxic swamp.
Now, protestors are keeling over with skin infections and the mosquitoes 
are feasting on a PAD smorgasbord.
So yesterday the Dharma Army spearheaded a cleanup. "Rain has left 
puddles of muddy water. These are the sources of slush and germs," army 
clean-up boss Kaenfah Saenmuang, an internationally educated engineer, 
says.
"We have mobilised volunteers to help," he said.
"We have spread sand and erected huge tents to keep the demonstrators 
dry and clean," Kaenfah says. There are wood floors.
The PAD leadership is working with professionals to ensure no epidemic 
breaks out.
The Fine Arts Department says its permission is not required but adds 
the PAD should stop work because the property is state land.
The Teuk Daeng in the compound is a registered historic building. Any 
renovation or change requires department approval.





http://www.watoday.com.au/national/tourists-stranded-in-phuket-as-protests-blockade-airport-20080831-468j.html

Tourists stranded in Phuket as protests blockade airport
• August 31, 2008
More than 15,000 passengers - including nearly 300 hundred Australians - 
are stranded on the holiday isle of Phuket, as officials said the 
airport would be closed indefinitely due to ongoing anti-government 
protesters.

Thailand's second-busiest airport was closed yesterday afternoon after 
5,000 protesters set up a blockade and marched down the tarmac, forcing 
authorities to suspend flights to and from the island.

About 1,000 protesters from the so-called People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD), which is also squatting on the main government compound 
in Bangkok, blocked access to the airport today.

The airport's director Wicha Nurnlop said the protesters had refused to 
negotiate with authorities on reopening the runway.

"Phuket airport is shutting down indefinitely," he told Agence 
France-Presse.

In Australia, a Jetstar spokeswoman said a Sydney-bound Airbus A320 
scheduled to depart from Phuket yesterday was still unable to leave, 
forcing 265 Australian passengers to stay in Phuket for a second night.

"At this stage the airport remains closed," the spokeswoman said tonight.

She said the Australian passengers stranded at Phuket and 274 Australian 
passengers diverted to Bangkok last night would be accommodated at 
hotels overnight.

"We've found other hotels for those passengers who were unable to stay 
on in their accommodation," she said.

So far more than 100 flights have been cancelled, including 25 on 
international routes, leaving 15,000 passengers stranded, Wicha said.

Tourists have been given free hotel rooms until the airport reopens, 
while authorities were scrambling to arrange buses for about 100 
passengers trying to connect to onward flights in Bangkok, he added.

Few police were seen at the airport, and protesters appeared to have 
been allowed to roam facilities freely.

Wicha said protesters were demanding the government release 85 detained 
activists and calling for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation.
The nearby Krabi airport also remained closed since yesterday evening, 
the operator Airports of Thailand said.

But the southern airport in Hat Yai had reopened for a Thai Airways 
flight early today, after protesters had forced its closure yesterday as 
well.

Budget carrier Jetstar flies between Sydney and Phuket three times a 
week. Qantas flies only into Bangkok, and a spokeswoman today said it 
was not facing any disruptions to its services.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) spokesman said 
Australians should stay away from the political rallies or 
"concentrations of military personnel", and follow any instructions 
issued by local authorities.

Thailand's southern provinces continue to have a "do not travel" rating, 
while for the whole country tourists are urged to show a "high degree of 
caution", according to DFAT.







http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/372881/1/.html

Phuket airport reopens as Thai protesters disperse
Posted: 31 August 2008 1511 hrs

BANGKOK - The airport on Thailand's resort island of Phuket resumed 
flights on Sunday, two days after being forced to suspend operations by 
anti-government protesters, the airport director said.

Up to 15,000 passengers have been stranded at the airport on the 
southern resort isle -- the gem of Thailand's tourism industry -- after 
protesters stormed the runway and blockaded the entrances on Friday.

"The airport resumed operations at about 11:00am (0400 GMT)," said Vicha 
Neunlop, director of Phuket International Airport, Thailand's second 
busiest airport.

"The first flight will land soon. All services at the airport are back 
to normal. Protesters started leaving the airport (this morning) -- 
there are not many left now," he told AFP.

Airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai were forced to close on Friday as 
protests that have brought chaos to Bangkok's government district spread 
to southern tourist spots.

Hat Yai airport reopened on Saturday, and local news reports said that 
Krabi was also preparing to reopen on Sunday, but officials were not 
immediately available to confirm that.

Thousands of protesters from the so-called People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) have barricaded themselves in the grounds of Bangkok's 
main government compound, demanding Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej step 
down. - AFP/vm






http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/372892/1/.html

Thai resort airports reopen as protesters disperse
Posted: 31 August 2008 1706 hrs

Anti-government protesters block Phuket's airport on August 29 (file pic)

BANGKOK: The airports serving Thailand's beach resorts of Phuket and 
Krabi reopened on Sunday, two days after anti-government protesters 
forced all flights to be grounded, airport officials said.

Up to 15,000 passengers have been stranded at the airport on the 
southern resort isle of Phuket – the gem of Thailand's tourism industry 
– after protesters stormed the runway and blockaded the entrances on 
Friday.

"The airport resumed operations at about 11:00 am (0400 GMT)," said 
Vicha Neunlop, director of Phuket International Airport, Thailand's 
second-busiest aviation hub.

"All services at the airport are back to normal. Protesters started 
leaving the airport – there are not many left now," he told AFP.

Airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai were forced to close on Friday as 
protests that have brought chaos to downtown Bangkok spread to tourist 
spots in the south of the country.

Thousands of protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) 
have barricaded themselves in the grounds of Thailand's main government 
compound in the capital, demanding that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej 
step down.

"Krabi airport resumed normal service since early Sunday morning. The 
first flight from Bangkok has landed. There are no protesters left since 
the morning," an airport official there told AFP.

Service at Hat Yai airport resumed on Saturday.






http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/372656/1/.html

Police scuffle with protesters as turmoil spreads through Thailand
Posted: 30 August 2008 0202 hrs

Anti-government protesters lie down on the street to avoid tear gas 
during a demonstration

BANGKOK : Thai police on Friday fired tear gas and scuffled with 
protesters who are demanding the premier step down, as escalating 
turmoil in the kingdom heaped pressure on the seven-month-old government.

As protests spread across the country, shutting airports in the southern 
tourist hotspots, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej again insisted he was 
not going to give in to the protesters' demands.

"I will not quit. At this moment, I will not declare emergency rule, I 
will wait and see tomorrow," he told reporters on Friday.

Up to 25,000 protesters have barricaded themselves in the main 
government complex in the capital, accusing Samak of being a figurehead 
for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and insisting he must step down.

Skirmishes broke out throughout the day as police used shields and 
batons to deal with angry mobs, causing slight injuries to a handful of 
protesters.

A crowd of about 2,000 demonstrators left the besieged Government House 
compound and marched to the nearby police headquarters on Friday evening 
to demand the officers involved in the clashes be handed over, prompting 
police to fire tear gas, witnesses at the scene said.

A government-run medical emergency centre said it had treated 35 people 
after the incident.

Samak has vowed to end the crisis without violence, and reiterated 
earlier Friday that there were still no plans to forcibly break up the 
rally.

"Police will still adhere to my earlier order -- they merely went to 
post a court order, not to clear protesters," Samak told reporters, 
referring to a court injunction posted at the site ordering protesters 
to leave.

Deputy national police spokesman Major General Surapol Tuanthong said 
the crowds had swelled and 25,000 people were now in the grounds of the 
compound.

As the situation spiralled Friday, the powerful army chief again 
reassured the nation that the military would not intervene unless asked.

"There will be no coup because a coup will not be able to solve the 
problems," General Anupong Paojinda told reporters, adding: "I am 
confident that police are able to oversee the situation."

Police, however, appeared to be struggling to contain the demonstrators, 
with Surapol telling AFP that all the officers who were stationed inside 
the compound had now withdrawn because of the risk of clashes.

"There are now up to three thousand police deployed outside Government 
House," Surapol said.

The restraint of the police seems to have emboldened the so-called 
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest movement.

"I am convinced that the military will not forcibly crack down on us," 
PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila told reporters.

"PAD must go ahead and intensify the protest -- we think that more 
unions will join us and it will lead to more airport closures."

The PAD has been demonstrating against Samak for months, but events took 
a new turn on Tuesday when protesters stormed a TV station and 
barricaded themselves inside the Government House grounds.

The courts have ordered the protesters to leave the site and issued 
arrest warrants for nine of the ringleaders on charges including rebellion.

Outside Bangkok, thousands of protesters forced the closure of three 
airports in the south. Phuket International Airport was the first to 
shut its doors after PAD sympathisers invaded the runway.

Similar rallies soon prompted officials to close Hat Yai and Krabi 
airports, said Sereerat Prasutanont, president of Airports of Thailand.

The State Railways of Thailand, meanwhile, said 248 drivers and 
mechanics called in sick on Friday, halting a quarter of all services in 
the kingdom.

The PAD -- which despite its name is trying to bring down Samak's 
elected government -- began its campaign at the end of May, just over 
three months after the coalition government was formed.

PAD protests helped lead to the 2006 coup that unseated Thaksin, and the 
entry into government of his ally Samak after elections in December has 
infuriated the country's old power elites in the military and palace.

They also object to Samak's plans to amend a constitution drafted and 
approved under military rule following the coup.






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/thailand/2008/08/30/172448/Thai-protesters.htm

Saturday, August 30, 2008 0:00 am TWN, By Pracha Hariraksapitak, Reuters
Thai protesters hit police HQ, disrupt airports and railroads
BANGKOK -- Protesters trying to overthrow Thailand’s government attacked 
Bangkok’s police headquarters on Friday as demonstrations against Prime 
Minister Samak Sundaravej spread from the capital, disrupting air and 
rail services.
Some 30 people were injured after police repelled the 2,000-strong crowd 
on a fourth day of protests that have raised fears of major violence and 
military intervention less than two years after a coup in September 2006.
TV footage showed teargas canisters exploding among the protesters, but 
police denied using them, saying they had only fired rubber bullets.
Protesters also invaded runways or blocked roads at three southern 
airports, including the tourist island of Phuket, leaving scores of 
passengers stranded as flights were suspended.
Striking rail workers halted 30 percent of services nationwide, and 
unionized airline and port workers were urged by their leaders to take 
sick leave. In Bangkok, where protesters have occupied the prime 
minister’s compound since Tuesday, some of Samak’s advisers pushed him 
to impose emergency rule, two government sources said.
But Samak, who leads a shaky coalition government elected in December, 
declined to get tough with the protesters ahead of a royal event on 
Saturday.
“I have several tools at my disposal, but I am not using any of them 
because I want to keep things calm,” he told reporters after meeting top 
military and police officers.
“I will not quit. If you want me out, do it by law, not by force. This 
is embarrassing in front of the world,” Samak said.
Imposing a state of emergency would allow Samak to deploy soldiers to 
disperse the protesters, although army chief Anupong Paochinda said the 
situation did not warrant it.





http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/thai-democracy-protests-escalate-913325.html

Thai democracy protests escalate
By Pracha Hariraksapitak in Bangkok
Saturday, 30 August 2008

AP
Police clash with anti-government protesters in Bangkok yesterday

Protesters trying to overthrow Thailand's government have attacked 
Bangkok's police headquarters as demonstrations against the Prime 
Minister, Samak Sundaravej, spread from the capital and disrupted air 
and rail services.
Police fired what appeared to be tear gas at the 2,000-strong crowd, 
taking part in escalating protests that have raised fears of major 
violence and military intervention less than two years after a coup in 
September 2006.
Protesters also forced airports to close in the tourist destinations of 
Phuket and Krabi and the southern town of Hat Yai, leaving hundreds of 
passengers stranded.
Striking rail workers halted 30 per cent of services nationwide, and 
airline and port workers were urged by their union leaders to take sick 
leave.
In Bangkok, where protesters have occupied the prime minister's compound 
since Tuesday, some of Mr Samak's advisers urged him to impose emergency 
rule, according to two government sources.
"It has been proposed as an option to him," said one source, who 
declined to be named.
But Mr Samak, who leads a coalition government elected in December, 
declined to get tough with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), 
which began its protest campaign on 25 May.
"I have several tools at my disposal, but I am not using any of them 
because I want to keep things calm," he told reporters after meeting top 
military and police officers.
"I will not quit. If you want me out, do it by law, not by force. This 
is embarrassing in front of the world."
Imposing a state of emergency would allow the government to deploy 
soldiers to disperse the protesters, although the army chief Anupong 
Paochinda said the situation did not warrant it.
"It will hurt the country's image and worsen the country's situation," 
he said, nearly two years after the coup that removed the prime minister 
Thaksin Shinawatra but failed to heal the deep divisions in Thai society.
Thai shares have fallen 23 per cent since the street campaign began in 
May amid fears of policy paralysis at a time of stuttering economic 
growth and bloodshed on the streets.
The protesters' assault on police headquarters came hours after riot 
officers tried to deliver an eviction order and clashed with 
demonstrators barricaded inside the compound. "We are trying to deal 
with the protesters as gently as possible," said a police spokesman, 
Surapol Thuanthong.
After the scuffles, the Civil Court said that it had retracted its 
earlier eviction order after the demonstrators appealed against the ruling.
The People's Alliance for Democracy, a group of businessmen, academics 
and activists whose 2005 protests against Mr Thaksin contributed to the 
coup against him, have accused Mr Samak of being an illegitimate proxy 
of the former prime minister, who is now living in exile in London. Mr 
Samak has denied the accusation.
"Today is the Judgement Day. It is the People's Revolution and we must 
win," said the alliance leader Sondhi Limthongkul after raids on 
government offices and a state TV station on Monday.
Mr Sondhi is one of nine PAD leaders charged with insurrection, a crime 
that can carry the death penalty.
The alliance also proclaims itself to be a defender of the revered King 
Bhumibol Adul-yadej against an alleged Thaksin plan to turn Thailand 
into a republic – a charge vehemently denied by both Mr Thaksin and the 
government.
The protesters have barricaded themselves in the 11-acre compound behind 
razor wire and car tyres. Sentries armed with bars and golf clubs poured 
a mixture of gasoline and shampoo across the road, turning it into an 
ice-rink.
At the barricades, alliance supporters held aloft pictures of King 
Bhumibol, shouting "We love the King. We love Thailand". Inside the 
compound, thousands sat on plastic sheeting, clapping and cheering 
speeches by the group's leaders.





http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/372703/1/.html

Thai PM briefs king on protests; police scuffle with demonstrators
Posted: 30 August 2008 1113 hrs


Protestors clash with riot police

BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has briefed King Bhumibol 
Adulaydej on the anti-government protests spreading around the country, 
a government official said Saturday.

The premier flew from Bangkok around midnight by private jet to the 
nearby seaside resort town of Hua Hin, where the king is in residence, 
the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"He reported to the king on the current situation and he will return to 
Bangkok today," the official said.

News of the royal briefing comes after Thai police fired tear gas and 
scuffled with protesters who are demanding the premier step down, on 
Friday night.

As protests spread across Thailand, shutting airports in the southern 
tourist hotspots, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted he was not 
going to give in to the protesters' demands.

"I will not quit. At this moment, I will not declare emergency rule, I 
will wait and see tomorrow," he told reporters.

Up to 25,000 protesters aligned with the People's Alliance for Democracy 
(PAD) have barricaded themselves in the main government complex, 
accusing Samak of being a figurehead for ousted premier Thaksin 
Shinawatra and calling for him to resign.

Skirmishes erupted throughout the day as police used shields and batons 
to deal with angry mobs, causing slight injuries to a few protesters.

About 2,000 demonstrators left the besieged Government House compound 
and marched to the nearby police headquarters on Friday evening to 
demand the officers involved in the clashes be handed over, prompting 
police to fire tear gas, witnesses at the scene said.

A government-run medical emergency centre said it had treated 35 people 
after the incident.

A meeting of the government's ruling coalition made up of Samak's People 
Power Party (PPP) and five others was quickly called on Friday evening, 
and an urgent parliamentary debate was scheduled for Sunday to discuss 
the crisis.

Asked if the debate could pacify protesters, Banharn Silpa-Archa, leader 
of the PPP's main coalition partner Chart Thai Party, said: "I don't 
know, it's up to PAD."

But retired general Chumlong Srimuang, one of PAD's leaders, has 
repeatedly said protest rather than parliament was the only way to solve 
Thailand's political problems.

Samak has vowed to end the demonstrations without violence, a promise he 
reiterated earlier Friday.

"Police will still adhere to my earlier order - they merely went to post 
a court order, not to clear protesters," Samak told reporters, referring 
to a court injunction put up at the site ordering protesters to leave.

Deputy national police spokesman Major General Surapol Tuanthong said 
the crowds had swelled and 25,000 people were now in the grounds of the 
compound.

As the situation spiralled Friday, the powerful army chief reassured the 
nation the military would not intervene unless asked.

"There will be no coup because a coup will not be able to solve the 
problems," General Anupong Paojinda told reporters, adding: "I am 
confident that police are able to oversee the situation."

Police, however, appeared to be struggling to contain the demonstrators, 
with Surapol telling AFP that all the officers who were stationed inside 
the compound had now withdrawn because of the risk of clashes.

"There are now up to 3,000 police deployed outside Government House," 
Surapol said.

The restraint of the police seems to have emboldened the protest movement.

"I am convinced that the military will not forcibly crack down on us," 
PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila told reporters.

"PAD must go ahead and intensify the protest - we think that more unions 
will join us and it will lead to more airport closures."

PAD has been demonstrating against Samak for months, but events took a 
new turn on Tuesday when protesters stormed a TV station and barricaded 
themselves inside the Government House grounds.

The courts have ordered the protesters to leave the site and issued 
arrest warrants for nine of the ringleaders on charges including rebellion.

Outside Bangkok, thousands of protesters forced the closure of three 
airports in the south. Phuket International Airport was the first to 
shut its doors after PAD sympathisers invaded the runway.

Similar rallies soon prompted officials to close Hat Yai and Krabi 
airports, said Sereerat Prasutanont, president of Airports of Thailand.

The State Railways of Thailand, meanwhile, said 248 drivers and 
mechanics called in sick on Friday, halting a quarter of all services in 
the kingdom.

PAD - which despite its name is trying to bring down Samak's elected 
government - began its campaign at the end of May, just over three 
months after the coalition government was formed.

PAD protests helped lead to the 2006 coup that unseated Thaksin, and the 
entry into government of his ally Samak after elections in December has 
infuriated the country's old power elites in the military and palace.

They also object to Samak's plans to amend a constitution drafted and 
approved under military rule following the coup.

- AFP/yb






http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=World_News&subsection=Rest+of+the+World&month=August2008&file=World_News2008083044730.xml

Thai protesters disrupt air, rail services
Web posted at: 8/30/2008 4:47:30
Source ::: REUTERS

Anti-government protesters scuffle with the riot police in the streets 
surrounding Thai Government House as thousands of anti-government 
protesters continue their fourth day of occupation in Bangkok yesterday. 
(EPA)
bangkok • Protesters trying to overthrow Thailand’s government attacked 
Bangkok’s police headquarters yesterday as demonstrations against Prime 
Minister Samak Sundaravej spread from the capital, disrupting air and 
rail services.
Some 30 people were injured after police repelled the 2,000-strong crowd 
on a fourth day of protests that have raised fears of major violence and 
military intervention less than two years after a coup in September 2006.
TV footage showed teargas canisters exploding among the protesters, but 
police denied using them, saying they had only fired rubber bullets.
Protesters also invaded runways or blocked roads at three southern 
airports, including the tourist island of Phuket, leaving scores of 
passengers stranded as flights were suspended.
Striking rail workers halted 30 percent of services nationwide, and 
unionised airline and port workers were urged by their leaders to take 
sick leave.
In Bangkok, where protesters have occupied the prime minister’s compound 
since Tuesday, some of Samak’s advisers pushed him to impose emergency 
rule, two government sources said.
But Samak, who leads a shaky coalition government elected in December, 
declined to get tough with the protesters ahead of a royal event today.
“I have several tools at my disposal, but I am not using any of them 
because I want to keep things calm,” he told reporters after meeting top 
military and police officers.
“I will not quit. If you want me out, do it by law, not by force. This 
is embarrassing in front of the world,” Samak said.
Imposing a state of emergency would allow Samak to deploy soldiers to 
disperse the protesters, although army chief Anupong Paochinda said the 
situation did not warrant it.
“A coup would not solve anything. It will hurt the country’s image and 
worsen the country’s situation,” he said, nearly two years after the 
coup that removed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra but failed to heal 
the divisions in Thai society.
Chulalongkorn University analyst Sompop Manarungsan said Samak had few 
options but to resign or call a snap election.
“If he doesn’t quit over the next two days, it is very likely that we 
will see a bloodbath,” Sompop told Reuters.
The protests are led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a 
motley group of businessmen, academics and activists who accuse Samak of 
being an illegitimate proxy of Thaksin, now in exile in London. Samak 
denies the accusation.
The PAD proclaims itself to be a defender of revered King Bhumibol 
Adulyadej against a supposed Thaksin plan to turn Thailand into a 
republic—a charge vehemently denied by both Thaksin and the government.
Thai shares have fallen 23 percent since the PAD’s street campaign began 
in May amid fears of policy paralysis at a time of stuttering economic 
growth and soaring inflation.
The PAD assault on police headquarters came hours after riot officers 
tried to deliver an eviction order and clashed with demonstrators inside 
the prime minister’s compound.






http://www.buffalonews.com/nationalworld/international/story/426601.html

08/30/08 06:44 AM
Police fire tear gas at protesters in Thailand
By Grant Peck
ASSOCIATED PRESS

BANGKOK, Thailand — Police fired tear gas at thousands of right-wing 
protesters besieging their headquarters Friday, while demonstrators 
outside the capital disrupted air and rail service in a growing campaign 
to unseat the prime minister.
Charging that Western-style democracy has allowed corruption to 
flourish, the protesters hope to repeat their success of two years ago, 
when they helped topple former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted he won’t step down and may 
declare a state of emergency, suspending some civil liberties, if 
rioting during the four-day old protest worsens. The country’s 
influential army commander said the military will steer clear of 
politics and not stage a coup.
The People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters settled in for a fourth 
night occupying the grounds housing the prime minister’s offices. They 
have fought police — under orders to show restraint — to a standoff.
“After the current government is ousted, we will propose a totally new 
political system with those corrupt guys prosecuted, and we will have a 
clean and efficient political system,” protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul 
told the Associated Press.
The alliance accuses Samak’s government of serving as a proxy for 
Thaksin, who was deposed in a bloodless coup and banned from public 
office until 2012. Thaksin, who fled to self-imposed exile in Britain, 
faces an array of corruption charges.
Samak led Thaksin’s political allies to a December 2007 election 
victory, and their assumption of power triggered fears that Thaksin 
would make a political comeback on the strength of his continued 
popularity with Thailand’s rural majority.
Friday saw the worst unrest in the latest round of protests.
After police forced their way into the Government House compound to 
deliver a court eviction order, the alliance fought police in running 
street battles and suffered minor injuries when police fought back.
Claiming “police brutality,” alliance members later laid siege to police 
headquarters, saying they wanted officers they accuse of violence turned 
over to them. As they pressed against the gates, police threw tear gas 
to disperse them.
Samak insisted the government would not employ force, but rather “soft 
and gentle” methods to oust the protesters, indicating he was willing to 
wait out the protesters, whose numbers go up and down from 2,000 to 
about 30,000.
He accused the protesters of trying to spark a confrontation with 
authorities that would lead to violence.





http://www.myantiwar.org/view/160995.html

Protesters break into PM's office
 From correspondents in Bangkok
August 30, 2008 05:04pm
ABOUT 45 protesters used bolt cutters to break into Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej's abandoned office today, after five days of occupying the 
grounds surrounding the building.
One of the activists said protest leader Chamlong Srimuang had ordered 
them to force open the doors so that he could use the offices himself.
The so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has led thousands of 
protesters in anti-government rallies since May, but they stepped up 
their campaign on Tuesday as they marched into the Government House 
compound and set up camp.
About 15,000 protesters were squatting there at midday today, one day 
after the rally erupted into skirmishes with riot police, causing minor 
injuries and setting nerves on edge.
"Chamlong told us to clean up the mess left by police so that PAD's five 
supreme leaders can use the offices inside the building during the 
rally," the activist said.
The protests also spread outside Bangkok as activists marched on three 
key regional airports, including on the resort isle of Phuket.
Phuket's airport remained shut today, but the southern town of Hat Yai 
resumed air services in the morning, aviation officials said.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30082005

66 protesters receive medical treatment Friday

A total of 66 protesters received medial treatment throughout Friday, 
the Emergency Medical Service Centre of the Public Health Ministry 
announced Saturdya.

Twenty six of them were women and Seven of the 66 protesters were 
admitted to four hospitals, said Doctor Surachet Satiniramai, director 
of the centre.

Two of the seven were admitted to Vachira Hospital for breathing 
problems; one to Ramathibodi Hospital for serious wound on a leg; 3 to 
Chulalongkorn Hospital with head injuries; and one to the Police Hospitl 
with the broken left arm.

Surachet said all of the seven were safe now.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081981

Some 2,000 protesters move to Manager head office to guard ASTV

Some 2,000 protesters moved from the Government House to the Manager 
Group head office to guard ASTV from being raided by pro-government people.

At 1:30 pm, Panthep Wongpuaphan, a leader of the People's Alliance for 
Democracy, told the crowd that he learn that the pro-government people 
would raid the ASTV station so he enlisted volunteers to help guard it.

Some 2,000 protesters followed the PAD guards out of the Government 
House immediately.






http://www.bangkokpost.com/310808_News/31Aug2008_news05.php

Protesters start cleaning up building
Pledge not to re-enter place

By Apinya Wipatayotin

The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday broke into the Santi 
Maitree building, a significant place for royal receptions and welcoming 
foreign guests, citing the place needed to be cleaned up. A group of 
Sriviciptchai Warriors, PAD's security guards, unlocked a door of the 
building and allowed about 50 of the PAD supporters in to collect the 
garbage and foam food containers and plastic bottles.

Anchalee: Sanitation needed at the place
''We have been ordered by Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang to clean up the 
place and prepare it for meetings of key members of the PAD,'' said one 
guard.
Earlier, Anchalee Prileeluck, another key PAD member, told the 
protesters Santi Maitree and the Thai Kufah buildings should be cleaned 
up to welcome anti-government demonstrators.
''We will open all windows and doors inside the building to welcome all 
of you who will be remembered in history for your effort to help prevent 
the country from collapsing. We don't see any reason why we can't use 
these buildings,'' said Ms Anchalee.
''However, we will not touch anything. We will ensure its sanitation,'' 
she said.
Government House has been littered with garbage after nearly a week of 
occupation by PAD supporters, with foul smell from toilets filling the air.
The cleaning team has left a message for police, saying the protesters 
would make sure the compound is cleaned up before they leave the place.
But the PAD security guards were later told by their leaders to exit the 
building as they fear the place would be damaged by the protesters.
''We will not enter the building again because it is an important place. 
We will not sleep there or use its toilets,'' said one leader. PAD has 
converted the building's terrace into a medical centre.





http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/228750,police-back-off-as-protests-spread-from-bangkok--summary.html

Police back off as protests spread from Bangkok - Summary
Posted : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:43:22 GMT
Author : DPA
Category : Asia (World)

Bangkok - Thai police withdrew from a protest area late Friday to avoid 
further confrontations with anti-government demonstrators as the 
protests spread to other provinces and forced the closure of several 
international airports. Three airports in the south, including Phuket 
International on Thailand's popular island destination, were close 
because of the protests, stranding thousands of tourists. Earlier in the 
day the State Railways of Thailand labour union went on strike, stopping 
most rail traffic in the country.
The protests were all in support of the People's Alliance for Democracy 
(PAD), which is spearheading anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok.
They demanded the police refrain from force to break up the anti- 
government rally illegally taking place at the Government House compound 
in Bangkok.
Even before the airport protests the police had backed off the 
demonstrators on Bangkok.
"We don't want to have a misunderstanding," said Lieutenant- General 
Assawin Kwanmuang, Metropolitan Police commander. "We have no intention 
to hurt the demonstrators." He said all police were ordered to pull back.
About 20 people suffered slight injuries Friday during scuffles as riot 
police pushed their way through demonstrators into the Government House 
compound. The injured were mostly hit with batons.
The move by police further angered demonstrators who are calling for the 
administration to resign.
"I'm very angry with the police," 61-year-old Prasert Somtowyai said 
after officers carrying shields and batons and wearing riot gear pushed 
their way through demonstrators, only to retreat shortly after to nearby 
roads.
Prasert said he joined the protest from a neighbouring suburb because he 
thinks the administration of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is corrupt 
and the premier should resign.
There were nearly 20,000 demonstrators Thursday night, but their numbers 
had fallen to about 3,000 after torrential rain and fatigue dwindled 
numbers long before the police made their push.
By Friday afternoon, people were filtering back to the compound in small 
numbers, carrying much needed food and water.
Chamlong Srimuang, a PAD leader and retired army general who has held 
out at the compound since Tuesday, said the police were planning to 
force them out as the fourth day of the standoff was coming to an close.
Thailand's criminal court has ordered the protesters to disperse from 
the compound around Government House and issued arrest warrants for nine 
PAD leaders.
Tens of thousands of PAD supporters seized several government buildings 
early Tuesday to block the government from amending the 2007 
constitution and pressure the administration to resign.
Two years ago, PAD organized months of protests against former prime 
minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was eventually ousted in a bloodless 
military coup in September 2006.
The PAD and coup leaders charged Thaksin with massive corruption, 
dividing the nation, and undermining democracy and the monarchy.
It has been calling for Samak's resignation since May after the cabinet 
approved a motion to amend the 2007 constitution. Protest leaders 
charged the amendments are aimed at clearing Thaksin of corruption 
charges and paving the way for his return to power.
Thaksin, a former policeman turned billionaire businessman, was prime 
minister from 2001 to 2006, winning a huge following among Thailand's 
rural poor.
But the populist politician drew the opposition of the political elite 
when his growing power led to perceived abuses for personal gain.
After spending 17 months in exile in the post-coup period, Thaksin 
returned to Thailand in February but fled again this month after his 
wife was convicted of tax evasion charges. She skipped bail, and the 
couple is now seeking asylum in Britain.






http://story.australianherald.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/c08dd24cec417021/id/400663/cs/1/

Thai PM refuses to go after protests escalate
Big News Network (UPI)
Friday 29th August, 2008
Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has said he will not resign 
despite the anti-government protests which are escalating.

More than 25,000 people remain at Government House in central Bangkok, 
refusing court orders to leave.

The protest is being led by the People's Alliance for Democracy which 
has accused Samak of working for the interests of former prime minister, 
Thaksin Shinawatra.

The PAD movement is now getting support from other parts of the country, 
with small blockades affecting airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai.

Some rail workers have also walked off the job, affecting about a third 
of rail services across the country.

The military in Thailand has told the country's prime minister to 
negotiate with protesters who are occupying the government compound in 
Bangkok.

On Friday, police fired tear gas at thousands of demonstrators who tried 
to storm into police headquarters.

PAD began its campaign at the end of May, just over three months after 
the coalition government was formed.

PAD protests helped lead to the 2006 coup that unseated Mr Thaksin.







http://www.bangkokpost.com/290808_News/29Aug2008_news06.php

CRISIS

Police unit trapped inside the protest
Isolated, under guard, they wonder what went wrong, writes Apinya 
Wipatayotin

The real victims of the confrontation between the People's Alliance for 
Democracy (PAD) and Samak Sundaravej's government are neither the PAD 
leaders nor the prime minister _ but about 300 police trapped inside the 
compound. They have been confined to a small space behind the Thai Khufa 
building since Tuesday, when the PAD launched its final showdown and 
laid siege to Government House.
The officers, from the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the border patrol 
police, were instructed to guard the Thai Khufa building, which houses 
the prime minister's office, when the PAD stormed the compound.
The officers said they were told their assignment would be for no more 
than eight hours, and then another team would replace them.
But things did not go according to plan. They have spent three days in 
the area near the Thai Khufa building so far.
Their relief team has not arrived because they are surrounded by 
protesters who have refused to allow them to leave the area the PAD has 
designated for them.
The demonstrators have also not allowed replacements in.
What has made the situation worse, they said, is that there has been no 
clear explanation from their bosses about what they should do or how 
long the situation will continue.
''It's like we are in prison. It has bought great shame on us that 
police have been detained by the protesters,'' said a police 
sergeant-major attached to the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
''All our food and drinking water is carefully checked by the PAD 
guards. Everything is up to them. If they are feeling kind, they allow 
us to have some food and drink.
''Last night, we did not have dinner until almost 11pm.''
The officers have been sleeping in the Santi Maitree building. It is 
air-conditioned, but there are not enough toilets and the tap water runs 
very slowly.
''We have to watch television to get updates on the situation and relax. 
Our mobile phones no longer work since the batteries ran down.
''We didn't prepare for an overnight operation, so we didn't bring our 
chargers with us,'' he said.
The sergeant-major confirmed that his superior told him he would be 
standing guard inside the compound for only a short while _ but that was 
three days ago.
A police lance corporal detained in the area said he was worried about 
his 10-year-old son, who had been staying alone at his house since 
Tuesday. His son could not go to school because his father was locked up 
inside the Government House grounds.
''I didn't prepare for this situation, so I didn't give him any money.
''All I can do is borrow my friend's phone to talk to my son.
''I told him to make instant food for himself. I have no idea when I can 
get out to see him,'' he said.
Another police officer said he disagreed with the government's handling 
of the demonstration, saying the government lacked a clear policy on how 
to deal with the protest.
''The prime minister only barks, but never bites. That's why the 
situation is getting worse. He and senior police just think about 
themselves. It's disgusting,'' he said.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081474

PAD moves to protest at Government House

Protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy started heading to 
Government House from the Makkhawan Bridge at 6:30 am Tuesday.

The Nation





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081471

Protestes who protest at government-run tv station detained

Police detained on Tuesday leaders of People Alliance for Democracy who 
tried to seize a government-run television station on Vipavadi Rangsit 
Road.
Around 5.00 am on Tuesday, a number of men raided the station of 
state-run NBTChannel, switched off electricity to disrupt the broadcast, 
cut off telephone connections and caused damages to property, police 
deputy spokesman Maj General Suraphol Thuanthong said.

Many station workers and newsroom staffers were told to move out of the 
way during the raid by the men wielding sticks.

Policemen rushed to counter the raid and arrested some suspects for 
questioning. The raid was suspected to be a part of the mass rally 
organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

NBT station partially resumed broadcase shortly after police ended the 
raise.

The Nation







http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081924

Egat workers to join protest

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's labour union promised 
that though some Egat employees would join the People's Alliance for 
Democracy protest and though power cut is possible, the majority of 
public would not be disturbed.

Somkuan Yavichai, secretary-general of the Egat labour union, said that 
as of Friday, about 500 employees have joined PAD. He expected that 
thousands could follow as they have filed "leave" applications.

He said the union would discuss with other unions of 43 state 
enterprises on joint actions, but the actions are not yet finalised, 
depending on future situation. He noted that even though Egat, 
Metropolitan Electricity Authority and Provincial Electricity Authority, 
join the protest, the generator would run as usual so as not to disturb 
the public. Egat union does not want the government to use force against 
protesters, he said.

"We insist that we won't cut power or cause troubls to the public who 
are Egat's clients. But if the government uses forces, we may launch 
some actions including cutting power. But the majority of the country 
would not be troubled by that," Somkuan said.

Egat's management issued a circulation, urging the employees to avoid 
the protest or break the law.
Egat Governor Sombat Sarntijaree supported the union's promise that the 
power would not be cut as all on-duty officers have their work 
disciplines. He believed that they would not commit any actions which 
could cause damage or disturb the public.

"Throughout the past 40 years, despite upheavals, Egat has proved that 
we would never stop generating and supplying electricity," Sombat said.

The Nation






http://rss.xinhuanet.com/newsc/english/2008-08/29/content_9736092.htm

Anti-government protesters block southern airports, suspend train 
service in Thailand

BANGKOK, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A few hundred anti-government protesters 
blocked entrances and exits at the airport in Thailand's southern 
economic and transportation hub Hat Yai and the access to the airport in 
the southern coastal resort Phuket Friday afternoon.
The latest development added to fears that the unrest in the capital, 
which has witnessed a see-saw battle between the police and the 
protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to take control 
of the government seat on Friday, will spread to provinces nationwide.
The state-run TV station NBT, which was raided and seized by PAD 
protesters on early Tuesday morning and forced to suspend broadcasting, 
reported on Friday that about 500 protesters were staging a rally at the 
Hat Yai airport.
Prayuth Tiraksa, a PAD leader in Phuket, said the protester started 
blocking the road at 2:00 p.m. (0700 GMT) , according to a report by 
news website The Nation.
Some media reports here said some flights at the two southern airports 
were delayed or would be redirected, especially those with foreign 
passengers.
Airports of Thailand Plc, the operator of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport 
and four international airports in provinces -- Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang 
Mai and Chiang Rai, on Friday has raised the level of security alert.
Meanwhile, parts of the railway services were affected on Friday as 
railway union leaders announced Thursday that members of the union, 
including train drivers, had submitted sick leave in a strike to show 
support for PAD protest.
Sathorn Sinpru, leader of the railway union at the State Railway of 
Thailand (SRT) in northeastern province Nakhon Rachasima, said Thursday 
that more than 100 members of the union, including 40 train drivers, 
submitted their sick-leave notices for two days effective from Friday.
Long-haul train services linking the Northeast to Bangkok will be 
suspended as a result.
Sathorn said the strike was to protest the government for ignoring train 
workers' welfare and to show support for PAD protesters in Bangkok since 
the union decided to join the PAD-led civil rebellion to topple the 
government.
SRT union chief Pichet Suwanchatree in Hat Yai, the southern 
transportation hub, also said late Thursday that railway service in the 
South would be suspended indefinitely, starting from Friday.
Sawit Kaewwan, Secretary-General of the Confederation of State 
Enterprise Labour Unions, who has been appointed a second-generation 
leader of the PAD group, confirmed at the Makkawan Bridge rally site 
that the SRT labor union had announced a strike.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081882

PAD protesters block access to Hat Yai, Krabi airports

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy started gathering 
outside the Hat Yai and Krabi airports Friday afternoon.

The protesters took action in retaliation against police's crackdown on 
protesters in Bangkok, their leaders said.

The Nation






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081875

Protesters overcome police barriers

At 2.45 pm, protesters broke police barriers on two fronts - at the 
Royal Plaza and at the Makawan Rangsan Bridge.

Police did not use force to block the crowds.





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081890

Senator Rosana leads some 100 protesters to Metropolitan Police

Nation Channel reported at 3:25 pm that Bangkok Senator Rosana 
Tositrakul led about 100 people to demonstrate in front of the 
Metropolitan Police head office.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081850

Police seen on TV beating, stepping on protesters inside Government 
House compound

Police were seen on TVs pushing, hitting and stepping on protesters near 
a red building inside Government House compound Friday morning.

The protesters were forced to sit down and cover their faces apparently 
to protect themselves from gas.

Some protesters were also seen being pulled out of the group and were 
forced to lie face down on the floor.

The Nation





http://www.buzzle.com/articles/219254.html

Protesters Defy Court Order to Continue Occupation of Thai Government Zone
Samak says he will not use force against demonstrators calling for his 
resignation
Thousands of anti-government protesters who have occupied the Thai prime 
minister's office compound since Tuesday continued their defiant 
occupation today despite a court order instructing them to leave and 
arrest warrants for nine of their leaders.

The demonstrators from the rightwing People's Alliance for Democracy are 
calling on the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, to resign, accusing him 
of being a proxy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was 
ousted in a 2006 coup and, from his exile in Britain, faces several 
corruption cases.

Samak ordered 1,000 riot police to close in on the Government House 
compound yesterday but has deliberately refrained from ordering the use 
of force.

"I have a sword, but I have chosen not to use it," he told reporters 
from his temporary headquarters in a military compound in a north 
Bangkok. "It will be too dangerous."

He has accused the protesters of seeking to provoke a violent government 
response in the hope that the military will step in with another coup. 
The army commander has publically insisted that troops will not get 
involved.

Overnight, dozens of protesters wearing military fatigues and armed with 
golf clubs, batons and bamboo sticks stood guard around the compound. 
They locked most of the gates and built up makeshift barriers of tires 
in anticipation of a police raid.

Thousands more protesters poured into the occupied area in response to 
the court order, and many formed a human chain overnight around the 
group's top leaders to prevent them from being taken away. Observers put 
the total number at around 10,000.

The atmosphere was a cross between a festival and a political rally as 
they listened to to folk music and vitriol against Samak and his elected 
government.

Retired general Chamlong Srimuang, an influential former politician and 
army officer and one of the top alliance leaders, said the protesters 
are doing nothing wrong.

"We are staging a protest because the government has made too many 
mistakes and has no legitimacy to run the country," he said.

But deputy police spokesman Maj Gen. Suraphol Tuanthong said the arrest 
warrants against the leaders were for insurrection, conspiracy, illegal 
assembly and refusing orders to disperse.

Insurrection, which is the legal equivalent of treason, carries a 
maximum penalty of death or life imprisonment.

Samak initially said he hoped the protesters would be out ahead of a 
ceremony on Saturday for Thailand's royal family. But today he proposed 
moving the royal procession to another site.

The climb-down only intensified speculation that Samak and the 
government are under pressure from anonymous PAD backers thought to come 
from the anti-Thaksin business elite, army or even the palace.

Revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is officially above politics but 
who has intervened several times on a variety of sides during his six 
decades on the throne, has made no public pronouncements since the PAD 
launched its assault on Tuesday.

Alliance leaders said the group planned to appeal the court order to 
vacate the government compound. Chamlong said he and other leaders were 
ready to be arrested, but encouraged supporters to stay on the grounds.

© Guardian News & Media 2008






http://www.mathaba.net/rss/?x=604238

Thailand: Warrants out for key PAD protest leaders
Posted: 2008/08/27
From: MNN


Thailand`s Criminal Court on Wednesday issued arrest warrants for the 
top five leaders of the anti-gov`t coalition People`s Alliance for 
Democracy `PAD`, its coordinator and three other PAD activists for 
leading demonstrators to storm the gov`t House compound and other state 
offices on Tuesday.

Meanwhile retired Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, one of five PAD core 
leaders, challenged the authorities to come make the arrests, saying 
that neither would he nor the other PAD activist leaders resist arrest 
or use anyone as human shields to deter the arrest process.

The five PAD leaders are Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphop Thongchai, Gen. 
Chamlong, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and PAD coordinator 
Suriyasai Katasila.

The other three persons include Chaiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn 
Amornrattananond and Therdpoom Chaidee who led PAD stalwarts in a raid 
on state-owned NBT television station on Tuesday.

The high-profile PAD personalities are charged with rebellion and 
rebellious attempt, organising gatherings of 10 or more people to cause 
public disturbances and defying police orders to disperse.

Eighty-two PAD actiivists or hangers-on, including four women and three 
juveniles, arrested for breaking into NBT's broadcast facilities remain 
in police custody after the Criminal Court denied bail on Tuesday on 
grounds of their having committing violent crimes.

Police charged them with colluding with armed protesters in coercing 
others to do or not to do actions against their will, possessing 
firearms without permission and carrying firearms in a public place 
without permission.

If found guilty, they are each liable to a maximum five-year jail term 
and/or fines of up to 10,000 baht. (TNA)






http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=14036

PAD Protesters Storm Government House
________________________________________
By SAI SILP Tuesday, August 26, 2008
________________________________________

Thai anti-government demonstrators broke into the compound housing the 
prime minister's office, took over a state-controlled television station 
and besieged several ministries on Tuesday, while the country’s police 
announced arrest warrants are ready to be issued to five protest leaders.
Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), an anti-government 
group, took over roads leading to Thai Government House in an attempt to 
force the resignation of the government of Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej and his cabinet.
A PAD leader, Sondhi Limthongkul, said demonstrators would not leave 
government house until the government accedes to its demands.

Early Tuesday, demonstrators wearing masks broke through the closed 
gates and stormed the premises of state-run NBT television station, 
which is operated under the National Public Relations Departments, 
halting all programs, while other PAD protesters rallied at several 
points throughout Bangkok
Pol Maj Gen Surapon Tounthong, the deputy Thai Royal Police 
spokesperson, said the police were ordered to use restraint and would 
not use arms or violence against the protesters.
“However, it does not mean that we will do nothing to the protesters who 
break the law,” he said. ”Arrest warrants are prepared to issue to the 
protester leaders soon because they illegally entered government offices 
and other national security areas,” he said, according to a report on a 
Thai news Web site, Komchadluek, on Tuesday
Meanwhile, Pradit Ruengdit, the secretary-general of Thai Journalists 
Association, said in a statement released on Tuesday that the protesters 
who seized the NBT station seriously abused freedom of the press.
The statement noted that PAD leaders claimed NBT is a government 
mouthpiece and has a bias in reporting political news. “However, there 
are ways to fight through legal processes,” he said. “To attack and 
obstruct media from reporting is an abuse of freedom the press.”
The Southeast Asian Press Alliance, the Thai Broadcast Journalists 
Association (TBJA) and the Confederation of Thai Journalists released a 
statement saying: "The mob action is one of the gravest and most blatant 
assaults on media freedom to date. The media was threatened, intimidated 
and kept from performing their duty."
The masked men who attacked the NBT station claimed they were PAD members.
Other PAD protesters invaded the compounds of the Transport Ministry, 
Finance Ministry and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
Army chief Anupong Paochinda, meanwhile, repeated claims that the 
military would not overthrow the government to quell the political unrest.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej warned protesters on Tuesday that his 
government's tolerance for their repeated demonstrations had its limits, 
but he did not say what, if any, action he would take.
Samak placed Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Pol Gen Kowit 
Wattana in charge of governmental security and the overall police response.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081651

PAD's protest activities disapproved by majority

More than 70 per cent of the people condemned the People's Alliance for 
Democracy for its Tuesday's protest activities, Bangkok University Poll 
said on Wednesday.
Almost 73 per cent voiced disapproval for blockading main roads linking 
Bangkok to the North, the Northeast and the South.

About 71 per cent said they disagreed with the raid of the NBT station. 
And 68 per cent said they found it unacceptable to lay seige at 
Government House and ministries.




http://www.bangkokpost.com/270808_News/27Aug2008_news09.php

City folk condemn protesters' tactics
APINYA WIPATAYOTIN & PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN
City residents condemned the People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) 
invasion of several state agencies, including state-owned NBT 
broadcasting station, saying it was pointless violence that made victims 
of innocent people. Bangkok awoke early yesterday to learn of the raid 
on the NBT station by at least 80 people.
Television coverage showed damage inside the building, including broken 
windows and collapsed barricades.
There were similar PAD raids at the Transport, Agriculture and Finance 
ministries, the Public Relations Department and Government House.
Several road blockades were erected by PAD supporters, resulting in 
severe traffic congestion.
''I have no clients today. They rushed to go home earlier because they 
were uncertain about their safety. Today's situation is worse than the 
coup,'' said a cloth merchant in Soi Ari, where affected offices of the 
Finance Ministry and Public Relations Department are located.
''I'm very disappointed with the situation. The PAD has destroyed the 
country's happiness. I live with fear and feel that my freedom to go 
anywhere or do anything is violated by that group,'' she said, declining 
to be named.
She said she did not think the situation would have a happy ending.
''I think each party is only interested in its own benefits. They have 
never thought about the country. Most people are suffering from the 
actions of both sides. It's like whoever wins, we lose.''
Chalerm Bhiman, 51, an office worker, said the PAD has no legitimacy to 
lay siege to state offices.
''What they have done is illegal and not supported by a majority of 
people in this country,'' he said.
''I don't know why they had to do it despite the fact that the courts 
are doing their job against this government, the ruling People Power 
party and Thaksin Shinawatra,'' Mr Chalerm said.
''This means they [PAD leaders] don't trust the country's justice system 
that they always called on to solve the country's problems,'' he said.
One motorist, who identified himself as Preecha, said Prime Minister 
Samak Sundaravej's demand the public choose sides could make the 
situation worse.
''I don't want to choose sides. I don't like either side. What I want is 
peace in our society,'' he said.
A 50-year-old woman from Ubon Ratchathani who joined PAD yesterday said 
the siege of Government House was unavoidable, because only the unifying 
force of the people could bring change to politics.





http://story.floridastatesman.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/c08dd24cec417021/id/399349/cs/1/

Thai protesters call for a coup
Florida Statesman
Tuesday 26th August, 2008
The BBC has reported Thai riot police have clashed with anti-government 
protesters who stormed the Thai prime minister's office compound in 
Bangkok.

Earlier, the demonstrators invaded government buildings and a state-run 
TV station.

The protesters, who say Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is a proxy for 
escaped former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have called for a coup 
to oust the current government.

After the intruders ignored a deadline to leave the prime minister's 
headquarters, hundreds of riot police moved in to clash briefly with the 
protesters.

The fighting stopped when officers secured the inside of the compound.

The protesters, clad in yellow as a mark of loyalty to Thailand's 
revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also pushed down fences to enter the 
grounds of Government House.

This forced the prime minister to move to military headquarters 
elsewhere in the capital.

More than 30,000 protesters marched through Bangkok's streets on Tuesday.

The masked supporters first stormed the main studios of the 
government-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand before 
entering three government ministries.

The unrest is the latest in a series of shows of force staged by the 
People's Alliance for Democracy over recent months.

The PAD movement is known to want a largely appointed parliament and a 
legalised role for the military as a referee in Thai politics.

The PAD began three years ago as a movement to bring down the powerful 
Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin is currently in the UK, avoiding justice in Thailand over claims 
of corruption.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=132210

Protesters try to take Thai state TV Wednesday, August 27, 2008
BANGKOK: About 40 armed anti-government activists broke into the studios 
of Thai state broadcaster NBT on Tuesday to try to halt programming as a 
prelude to a major demonstration against the seven-month-old coalition.

Police arrested the group, who were armed with two pistols, golf clubs, 
sling shots and knives, NBT reported on air after the attempted disruption.

Today is the people’s revolution day, so we want NBT to stop 
broadcasting, NBT chief Surayont Hoontasan quoted one of the protesters 
as saying.

They shouted ‘Get out, get out’ at us repeatedly. All 150 of us were 
rounded up for a short while before police arrived and talked them down 
to the ground floor, newscaster Soifah Osukonthip said on air.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a motley group of royalist, 
pro-military businessmen, is hoping to draw hundreds of thousands of 
people to Tuesday’s rally outside Government House, their latest attempt 
to unseat the elected government.






http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2684e028-7421-11dd-bc91-0000779fd18c.html

Police and protesters face off in Thailand
By Amy Kazmin in Bangkok
Published: August 27 2008 11:30 | Last updated: August 27 2008 11:30
Thai riot police surrounded the seat of government on Wednesday and 
tried to negotiate an end to a siege of the compound by protesters who 
want to topple the administration of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
On the second day of the tense standoff, police obtained warrant for the 
arrest of nine top leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, the 
protest organisers, on charges including inciting arrest and trying to 
overthrow the government.
Kowit Wattana, interior minister, appealed to the protesters to leave 
the Government House compound, saying authorities needed to prepare for 
a ceremony there on Saturday honouring the royal family which the 
country’s crown prince is scheduled to attend.
Yellow-clad demonstrators affiliated with the PAD – a diverse coalition 
of royalists, businessmen and activists united against former prime 
minister Thaksin Shinawatra – stormed Government House on Tuesday 
afternoon and have vowed to remain until Mr Samak’s coalition resigns.
The PAD sees the administration, which took power after December 
elections and is packed with Thaksin loyalists, as a proxy for the 
former leader, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and this month 
fled to the UK while facing trial in several criminal cases.
Mr Samak has accused the protesters of trying to provoke another 
military coup.
Analysts are sceptical that the protesters will achieve their aim and 
Bangkok residents appear turned off by their aggressive tactics. The 
army chief has vowed that the army will not intervene in the crisis.
“The Samak government has the upper hand,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a 
Chulalongkorn University political scientist. “As long as the government 
doesn’t overreact or resort to excessive force, time is on the 
government’s side.”
The stand-off comes amid concern about the twin challenges of slowing 
economic growth and rising inflation, which hit a ten-year high in July.
The Bank of Thailand yesterday raised the key interest rate by 25 basis 
points, to 3.75 per cent, tightening policy for the second month in a 
row despite opposition expressed by Surapong Suebwonglee, finance 
minister, on concern that higher rates will further affect growth.
The high-profile dispute between Mr Surapong, a close Thaksin ally, and 
the central bank faded last week after Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol 
Adulyadej waded into monetary policy, offering rare public praise for 
the central bank.
Thailand’s two leading English-language newspapers – which supported 
massive anti-Thaksin protests in 2006 – both slammed the PAD’s protests 
yesterday.
“The PAD’s ‘last whistle blow’ is unjustified, unnecessary, provocative 
and illegal,” The Bangkok Post editorial declared. “If the PAD really 
wants to bring down the government, they should do it through 
parliament. That is the proper, democratic place to do it.”
The Nation said, “the PAD’s action yesterday was completely uncalled 
for” and that the group’s motivations “have gone from clear cut to 
incomprehensible.”





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081508

NBT mobile broadcast disrupted by protesters again

Protesters stormed into the mobile broadcast unit of NBT and disrupted 
its broadcast again at 11:10 am.

Tuangporn Assawawilai, an announcer, said protesters were arriving at 
the mobile broadcast unit and was about to disrupt the broadcast.

Shortly after that, she disappeared from the screen and the broadcast 
switched to signals from NBT station in Songkhla.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081509

PAD protesters storming Metropolitan Police

At 11.15 am, protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy have 
broken passed the headquarters gate of Metropolitan Police Bureau on Sri 
Ayutthaya Road.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt General Asawin Kwanmuang is trying 
to negotiate with protesters to back out of the police commound and not 
raid the headquarters building.





http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=151514

Thai protesters settle down to stay at PM’s office


Thai Buddhist monks and demonstrators sit under a plastic sheet during a 
demonstration inside the Government House in Bangkok on Thursday.
Anti-government protesters hunkered down at the Thai prime minister's 
office compound on Thursday evening, preparing to extend their 
occupation for a third night with no end to the standoff in sight.


As dusk approached, the crowd of several thousand began to swell 
slightly as some protesters returned after spending the day at their 
workplaces. They vowed to stay for as long as it takes to push Prime 
Minister Samak Sundaravej out of office.
"We can withstand any difficult conditions if we can topple Samak," said 
Kitja Usaiphan, 43, a fisherman who has been camping at the site since 
Tuesday with other followers of the People's Alliance for Democracy.
The alliance accuses Samak's government to step down, accusing it of 
serving as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was 
ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several pending corruption cases. 
Thaksin is in self-imposed exile in Britain.
The demonstrators continued to defy a court order to end their 
occupation, saying they had a right to remain and would stay until the 
country's leaders resign. For the time being, the authorities seem to be 
content to leave them stay there, as the rest of the city and the 
country carries on with business as usual. Samak said Thursday that the 
court order had given the government extra leverage to deal with the 
protesters, but he has vowed not to use force to remove them.
"Simply stated, the court has given the government a 'sword,' but 
officials concerned will enforce the court order with caution," the 
state Thai News Agency quoted him saying. Several times during the day, 
members of the People's Alliance for Democracy appeared to be bracing 
for government action that never came.
Groups of protesters wearing military fatigues and armed with golf 
clubs, batons and bamboo sticks at times stood guard around the 
perimeter of the Government House compound.





http://www.gnn.tv/headlines/18188/Thai_protesters_defy_court_order_to_leave_PM_s_office

Thai protesters defy court order to leave PM's office
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:03:09 -0500
Summary:

Protesters from the People’s Alliance for Democracy, EPA
The Thai PM has been forced into refuge at a “temporary headquarters in 
a military compound” as protesters from a coalition of opposition groups 
continue their occupation of his office.
Overnight, dozens of protesters wearing military fatigues and armed with 
golf clubs, batons and bamboo sticks stood guard around the compound. 
They locked most of the gates and built up makeshift barriers of tyres 
in anticipation of a police raid…Thousands more protesters poured into 
the occupied area in response to the court order, and many formed a 
human chain overnight around the group’s top leaders to prevent them 
from being taken away. Observers put the total number at around 10,000.
[Posted By Szamko]
By David Pallister
Republished from The Guardian
Protesters continue to demand the ouster of Thaksin-linked PM, who now 
fulminates from a military compound
Thousands of anti-government protesters who have occupied the Thai prime 
minister’s office compound since Tuesday continued their defiant 
occupation today despite a court order instructing them to leave and 
arrest warrants for nine of their leaders.
The demonstrators from the rightwing People’s Alliance for Democracy are 
calling on the prime minister, Samak Sundaravej, to resign, accusing him 
of being a proxy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was 
ousted in a 2006 coup and, from his exile in Britain, faces several 
corruption cases.
Samak ordered 1,000 riot police to close in on the Government House 
compound yesterday but has deliberately refrained from ordering the use 
of force.






http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081764

Protesters use toilets of Command Centre

Protesters now have access to toilet rooms on every floor of the 
five-story Command Centre.

Signs were put up, telling the protesters to use toilet rooms of every 
floor of the building.

Several of them also took a rest inside air-conditioned rooms on the 
fourth floor. Offices on other floors remain locked up.

The Nation






http://www.bangkokpost.com/280808_News/28Aug2008_news06.php

Thursday August 28, 2008

Protest shuts Hat Yai road
CHEEWIN SATTHA

People's Alliance for Democracy protesters blocked roads to Hat Yai 
airport in Songkhla yesterday afternoon. The blockade lasted a few 
hours. Some flights were delayed.
Banjong Nasae, a leader of the PAD network in the South, said at least 
500 PAD supporters turned out.
The road closure was aimed at putting pressure on the government not to 
forcefully disperse the protest in Bangkok.
In Chiang Mai, a motorcyclist hurled a ping-pong ball bomb at the office 
of the local PAD network on Tuesday night. No injuries were reported.
Chiang Mai governor Wiboon Sa-nguanpong met with senior police yesterday 
for a briefing on the political situation in the province.
Police have been posted at NBT television's Chiang Mai office following 
the raid on the state-owned broadcasting channel's headquarters in 
Bangkok on Tuesday.





http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JH27Ae02.html

Aug 27, 2008

Thai protests turn nasty
By Shawn W Crispin

BANGKOK - Thailand's topsy-turvy politics took a turn for the chaotic on 
Tuesday as anti-government protesters violently stormed government 
buildings, blocked major roadways and knocked a state-run television 
station off the air. The protests shook markets and raised concerns that 
the government might move to invoke an emergency decree and temporarily 
suspend democracy.

It also ominously points to splits inside the military, with camps 
divided between those who support and oppose Prime Minister Samak 
Sundaravej, who serves concurrently as defense minister. Samak has 
reached an accommodation with top-ranking military leaders, including 
army commander General Anupong Paochinda
and First Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha, but a hardline camp has 
reportedly refused to fall in step.

A group of these officers reportedly called for Samak's resignation when 
the violence reached a crescendo early in the afternoon, according to a 
well-placed government source who spoke on condition of anonymity with 
Asia Times Online. Samak told reporters he had no intention of stepping 
down or declaring an emergency decree, adding that street protesters who 
broke the law would face arrest.

Thailand's SET Index declined 1.37% to 668.92 on Tuesday, bringing its 
decline since May 21 to more than 24%. The baht weakened about 0.3% to 
34.205 to the US dollar.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest movement had billed 
Tuesday's protest a "final showdown" in which either Samak's government 
or its supporters would survive. Its ambush-style attacks represented a 
violent escalation of its previous protests, which commenced on May 25 
and have centered on the claim that Samak's government is serving as a 
political proxy for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently 
in self-imposed exile in England.

According to a source in the Prime Minister's Office, one of the 
protesters who stormed the National Broadcasting Television was in 
possession of a gun. "If this is true, this could represent a case of 
treason," the official said. He said officials had established a "war 
room" to counter the attacks and "preserve democracy". The official also 
said they were trying to get in touch with US ambassador Eric John, who 
they hoped to put on national television condemning the PAD's attacks.

The spasm in violence comes soon after several political pundits 
predicted Thailand had achieved a more stable political footing in the 
wake of Thaksin's decision this month to flee the country rather than 
stand trial on a range of corruption and abuse of power charges. The 
Attorney General's office forwarded to the Supreme Court this week an 
important criminal case which aims to seize 76 billion baht (US$2.3 
billion) worth of Thaksin's family's assets, believed to be the bulk of 
his personal holdings and wellspring of his political patronage.

With his departure and potentially diminished wealth, many believed the 
country was on the verge of a political reordering where a camp of 100 
or so members of parliament inside the ruling People's Power Party, led 
by provincial powerbroker and until now strong Thaksin ally Newin 
Chidchob, might be tempted to break away and form a new coalition 
government led by the opposition Democrat Party. A source near the 
leadership of the Democrat Party recently told Asia Times Online that 
party officials were exploring that possibility, which appealed because 
Newin's political following is in Thaksin's stronghold northeastern region.

The PAD has a love-hate relationship with the Democrats dating to 
run-ins and libel law suits the party filed in the past against the 
street movement's media baron leader, Sondhi Limthongkul. Despite the 
PAD's role in keeping pressure on Samak's government, the Democrats' 
recent overtures towards PAD-nemesis Newin would presumably leave the 
protest movement's leaders and associates outside of any future 
non-Thaksin-aligned government.

It's unclear if the PAD leadership, including Sondhi, intended for the 
protests to spin so wildly out of control. Many analysts have speculated 
that the PAD had stepped up its protests in recent weeks to potentially 
lure security forces into a crackdown and amid the chaos a military 
seizure of political power take place - a scenario apparently favored by 
some military hardliners, but opposed by Anupong and Prayuth, who have 
top authority over Bangkok's security.

What is known is that the PAD has powerful backing from a hardline 
faction inside the military that lost out at last year's reshuffle, 
which most significantly saw the promotion of Anupong over the ambitious 
General Saprang Kalayanamitr. A key player in the 2006 coup that ousted 
Thaksin, Saprang has been quoted in the local press as saying that he 
personally has given orders to the PAD.

There is no evidence that he or other military figures played any role 
in stoking Tuesday's violence, but there are worrying indications that a 
hardline military camp may bid to capitalize on the chaos and its 
aftermath at more moderate military rivals' expense.

The breakdown in public order notably comes on the eve of a highly 
anticipated military reshuffle, which was reportedly already completed 
and expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Anupong is widely expected to preserve his army commander post, but 
there have been grumbles inside the rank-and-file that he hasn't played 
a more assertive political role in the de facto joint premiership he has 
established with Samak.

The PAD's attacks on government buildings have clearly weakened his hand 
and will provide ammunition for hardliners to take up other pivotal 
command posts, including perhaps a break-up of Prayuth's unbroken chain 
of command over Bangkok through his Pre-Cadet Academy Class 12 allies 
over the 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions and the 2nd and 4th Cavalry.

What is also clear is that Thailand's battered and bruised democracy has 
reached a crucial juncture. The PAD's rally cry took a hard turn last 
month when its members started to call for a "new politics" in which 
future parliaments would be 30% elected and 70% appointed. The proposal 
was clearly in response to the fact that pro-Thaksin parties continue to 
win elections, even after his original Thai Rak Thai party was disbanded 
by a military tribunal, and would likely prevail again if Samak opted to 
dissolve parliament and call for new polls.

The PAD's version of diminished democracy also jibes with the military's 
vision of the country's political future, seen in the various illiberal 
articles it wrote into the 2007 constitution, including in particular 
its controversial move backward towards a half-elected, half-appointed 
senate.

The all-important wild card is the royal household, which by law is 
above Thai politics. The highly revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has on 
at least two nationally televised occasions endorsed Samak and his 
administration, notably on the eve of a previous PAD-declared 
"doomsday". Anupong and Prayuth are also both known to have close 
personal ties with Queen Sirikit.

While the PAD has consistently claimed its movement aims above all at 
protecting the monarchy from usurping politicians, its attacks on 
Tuesday on government buildings which bear royal insignia make those 
claims as doubtful as its eponymous commitment to democracy.

Shawn W Crispin is Asia Times Online's Southeast Asia Editor. He may be 
reached at swcrispin at atimes.com






http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,24247033-401,00.html?from=public_rss

Stand-off as protesters flood city
By Anusak Konglang in Bangkok
Agence France-Presse
August 26, 2008 08:42pm
THAI premier Samak Sundaravej today vowed "decisive action" to end 
escalating anti-government rallies, as thousands of protesters stormed a 
state-run TV station and blockaded key ministries.
At least 20,000 protesters demanding his resignation seized the 
television station, invaded the grounds of the seat of government and 
besieged at least three ministries in their efforts to cripple Samak's 
administration.
Mr Samak, who was elected in December and formed his coalition 
government in February, warned that his patience was running out.
"Police will use all means to restore normalcy as soon as possible," Mr 
Samak said in a televised address to the nation.
"Police will take decisive action against the protesters ... government 
restraint is almost over.
"I ask all the protesters who have been blockading or occupying 
government offices that you still have a chance to withdraw and go back 
to your homes."
Major General Surapol Tuanthong, deputy national police spokesman, saod 
that the thousands of protesters who besieged the Government House 
compound had until 6:00pm (9pm AEST) to leave.
"Otherwise they will be asked to leave," he said.
"They have caused disorder and breached the law."
Mr Samak, who has appointed Interior Minister Kowit Wattana to oversee 
the police operation, said he would not step aside and played down 
rumours of another coup.
"I will not resign, I will stay to protect this country," Mr Samak said.
"The military will not allow the protesters to take control of the 
country. However, it is not the time yet for military force," he added.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has been protesting 
since May, claims Mr Samak is running the country on behalf of former 
premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is barred 
from holding office.
The demonstrators marched before dawn on Government House and the office 
of the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand, forcing its staff to 
switch to another location.
"Today is judgement day," PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told cheering 
crowds, most wearing yellow shirts as a mark of allegiance to revered 
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, to whom they claim loyalty.
A first attempt to take the station ended with the arrest of 80 protesters.
Police charged them with trespassing and seized a handgun, slingshots 
and golf clubs.
Thousands more protesters waving national flags and banners marched 
through the government district, vowing to blockade major government 
buildings.
Crowds broke down police barriers and entered the grounds of Government 
House, the finance ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Police 
headquarters.
They also surrounded the agriculture and transport ministries.
"The easiest way to restore normalcy is for Prime Minister Samak to 
quit," said PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila.
"If we do not receive a clear and positive response, we will prolong the 
rally to the next day and mobilise more protesters."
Thailand's powerful army chief earlier urged calm, insisting the 
military would not overthrow the Government to quell the protests.
"The military will not stage a coup d'etat. The public must not panic 
and must carry on their daily lives. The army will not get involved in 
politics," General Anupong Paojinda said.
Police Colonel Ekachai Pratyavutirat, an officer overseeing the 
protests, estimated that about 23,000 demonstrators had flooded the streets.
A police spokesman said 3,000 police officers had been deployed to 
maintain order.
Some 2500 people were also protesting on roads in the north, northeast 
and south of Thailand, highways police chief Colonel Somyos Promnim said.
PAD protests in early 2006 helped lead to the coup that unseated Mr 
Thaksin, and the entry to government of his ally Mr Samak infuriated the 
old power elites in the military and palace, who resented Mr Thaksin's 
hold on rural voters.






http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/08/26/thailand-protests.html?ref=rss

Protesters shut down Thai broadcaster, more than 50 arrested
Last Updated: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 | 12:34 AM ET Comments0Recommend5
CBC News
Dozens of anti-government protesters armed with knives and guns stormed 
a government-owned television station in Thailand and briefly forced it 
off the air Tuesday.
Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) shut down studios 
of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand in Bangkok for a few 
hours before police moved in and arrested 50 to 80 protesters without 
incident, the broadcaster said.
Hundreds more unarmed protesters gathered outside the gates of the media 
compound while thousands of PAD supporters peacefully laid siege to 
several government ministries, including the main Government House, 
preventing employees from entering the offices, local media reported.
"We are now controlling most of the key government offices to prevent 
them from coming to work," said Sondhi Limthongkul, a co-leader of PAD. 
"Today, we declare a long, long holiday for the government."
The protests are the latest effort by the group to force Prime Minister 
Samak Sundaravej's government from office. Those protesting contend 
Samak is a proxy for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was 
ousted in a 2006 coup and has sought self-imposed exile in England.
Samak, whose party won national elections last December, denies the 
allegations.
Since May, PAD has staged boisterous protests that have disrupted 
traffic in pockets of the capital but have rarely turned violent.
The group's leaders painted Tuesday's protest as the start of the final 
showdown against the government and have vowed to continue agitating 
until Samak quits.
Samak has refused, maintaining that "the government is still safe and 
sound."





http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30081535

Protesters occupying key locations around the capital

By 2.00 pm on Tuesday, protesters led by the People's Alliance for 
Democracy have managed to occupy many key installations and shut down works.

Protesters are now inside Government House, the Education Ministry, the 
Transport Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, the Finance Ministry. They 
are rallying in front of the Energy Ministry.

They have taken complete control of two broadcasting stations of NBT 
Channel located on Vibhavadi Road and Phetchaburi Road respectively.