2 replies to this topic

[Expattaya]

"Police have set up barricades to prevent the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) laying siege to Government House today after 26 days of demonstrations aimed at ousting Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet from office. But the prime minister has pledged to refrain from using force against them, amid fears it could provoke violence and plunge the country into a crisis.

The PAD's strategy is to split into small groups from its current stronghold at Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue and move along seven routes to reach Mr Samak's office at 1pm. They plan to camp out there until Mr Samak and the cabinet members step down from office.

The campaign to unseat the government gained added momentum when labour unions of state enterprises, and truckers and farmers, who are bearing the brunt of rising prices of fuel and food, threatened to join it if the government fails to tackle their problems. Anti-government demonstrators were told by PAD leaders that if they face police barricades, they should stay put and wait for other supporters to arrive.

The demonstrators will be countered by more than 8,000 police deployed at key positions to prevent them from reaching their target. Only 2,700 police have normally been deployed since the protest began on May 25.

Police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Surapol Thuanthong said police would not use force to disperse or suppress the PAD demonstrators. ''In the event the protesters break through police barricades, crowd control measures will be stepped up, but we will start with soft measures,'' he said.

Mr Samak, who is also defence minister, told a gathering of more than 400 security officials yesterday that the situation remained under control and police would handle the crowds. ''We can still handle them, and the police will take care of them. 'The military need not get involved. The Internal Security Operations Command does not have to step in,'' the prime minister said."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/200608_News/20Jun2008_news01.php

[Gene]

"Chamlong Srimuang led some 1,000 protesters walk through a police line at Soammanas Temple at 12 pm.

About 100 policemen at the barrier could not stop the protesters. Chamlong asked the protesters to push through police peacefully."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30076035

[Gene]

"Protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy reached Government House on the side of Phitsanulok at 2:30 pm. The protesters occupied the entire Phitsanulok."

2.31pm: Protesters declare victory in surrounding the Government House.

2.30pm : Waving the red flags, some 500 opponents of PAD march to where the PAD-led protesters are gathering near the Government House.

2.13pm : Protesters have all but circled Government House, with police commandoes making ways for their advance. However, those standing guard inside Government House walls vow there won't be any compromise and nobody will be allowed to cross over.

2.12pm : Protesters achieve in breaking the police line on Nakhon Pathom Road and move closer to the Government House. They are now besieging the Government House."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/20...es_30076032.php