Thousands of police officers have barricaded roads around Government House to block anti-government protesters from moving in to besiege the government seat Friday afternoon, aimed at pressuring the elected government to resign.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who also serves as defense minister, earlier pledged to refrain from using force against the protesters.
Friday morning the premier was attending a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in preparation for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.
Meanwhile, Finance and Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee reportedly shifted the venue of a meeting from Government House to the Ministry of Finance in an apparent bid to avoid confrontation with the demonstrators.
Other cabinet members are nowhere to be seen, and some government civil servants have opted to stay at home in fear of possible violence.
Security around Government House has been tightened with uniformed police manning the barricades along all routes to the government seat.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and its supporters have been demonstrating since May 25 in a bid to pressure the four-month-old coalition government to resign, claiming that Mr. Samak and his People Power Party are proxies of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Some protesters attempted to access Government House from a nearby railway station Friday morning, but were blocked by police barricades, even as a key protest leader, retired Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang renewed his pledge that the demonstrators would not use any weapons or violence. If disorder or physical force is used, he affirmed, it would not come from the anti-government protesters.
Army Chief Anupong Paochinda said earlier that the army would not get involved or use force against the crowds.
"It's the police who will take charge," said the Army chief. "I'm sure they have proper measures to handle the situation."
Police Chief Pol.Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan said the police would use only non-violent measures and exercise the utmost patience.
Concerns that the PAD-led protests could turn violent spooked investors who unloaded their stocks over the past three weeks.
Thai stock index opened lower Friday at 737.83, down 4.63 points.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand's president Patareeya Benjapolchai on Thursday conceded the SET composite index went into a free fall upon investor concerns over the persistent gathering of anti-government demonstrators.
She said rising inflation and upward interest trend also made investors jittery and slow their investment in the stock market, opting instead to sell off shares to reduce risks while they monitor the situation.
Source: MCOT
Thoughts: As we know from our history Chamlong went on hunger strike to protest against the govt in '92. Unprovoked at 4am the military opened fire on protesters starting a 3 day siege in the city.
I hope this remains peaceful and does not turn violent or I fear the same will happen again, propelling Thailand back twenty odd years in the eyes of the international world.
Anti-govt protests heat up: 1992 redux?
Anti-govt protests heat up: 1992 redux?
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I too am concerned about army intervention.
One of my predictions 22/12/07
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/pr ... t7977.html
With regard to the Thai stock index,I believe that the last few days have seen major falls all around the world including asia. Nothing to do with these protests.
One of my predictions 22/12/07
http://www.huahinafterdark.com/forum/pr ... t7977.html
With regard to the Thai stock index,I believe that the last few days have seen major falls all around the world including asia. Nothing to do with these protests.
You only live once.
From the Bangkok Post Latest News Section
Protesters push past barricades, head to Govt House
(BangkokPost.com) - Some 1,000 protesters were able to pass through police barricade at Misakawan intersection, the last blockade to reach the Government House at around 2pm Friday.
Hundreds of police were at the intersection while police trucks were left in the middle of the Phitsanulok Road to block protesters.
But protesters tried to overturn a police truck that block the way with their bare hands. They were finally able to get past the trucks and the police cordon, to march to Government House, where they were likely to link up with other protesters able to outwit the police.
Jun 20, 2008
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If the police can't control the crowds of protesters, I can see the Army getting involved. Maybe just what the protesters want.
I too, hope this remains peaceful, not something TAT want to be shown on the breakfast news TV in Europe and America. Mind you, images of protesters rushing past police and trying to overturn police trucks will probably change the mind of those thinking about booking up a holiday to Thailand for the foreseeable future.
Protesters push past barricades, head to Govt House
(BangkokPost.com) - Some 1,000 protesters were able to pass through police barricade at Misakawan intersection, the last blockade to reach the Government House at around 2pm Friday.
Hundreds of police were at the intersection while police trucks were left in the middle of the Phitsanulok Road to block protesters.
But protesters tried to overturn a police truck that block the way with their bare hands. They were finally able to get past the trucks and the police cordon, to march to Government House, where they were likely to link up with other protesters able to outwit the police.
Jun 20, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the police can't control the crowds of protesters, I can see the Army getting involved. Maybe just what the protesters want.
I too, hope this remains peaceful, not something TAT want to be shown on the breakfast news TV in Europe and America. Mind you, images of protesters rushing past police and trying to overturn police trucks will probably change the mind of those thinking about booking up a holiday to Thailand for the foreseeable future.
Per Angusta In Augusta.
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www.hamandbacon.co.th
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www.hamandbacon.co.th
Here's a quick who's who from Reuters:
The following are pen portraits of the key players in Thailand's long-running political crisis nearly two years after a bloodless 2006 coup.
SAMAK SUNDARAVEJ
A combative right-wing politician and celebrity chef, Thailand's prime minister leads a six-party coalition government struggling to cope with street protests, stuttering economic growth and soaring inflation.
Samak, 73, has made enemies in the military and royalist establishment since he campaigned in December elections as a frontman for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
SONDHI LIMTHONGKUL
A former business associate of Thaksin, bespectacled media tycoon Sondhi can claim justifiably to be the spark that lit the anti-Thaksin flame that resulted in the 2006 coup.
Sondhi, one of five leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which led 2005 street protests against Thaksin, has accused the Samak government of corruption and meddling in graft cases against the former prime minister.
Since the PAD renewed its protests on May 25, Thai shares have fallen more than 15 percent as investors worry about rising political tensions.
CHAMLONG SRIMUANG
A retired major-general and former Bangkok governor who first brought Thaksin into politics, the 72-year-old PAD leader is as unpredictable as he is tough.
The shaven-headed ascetic Buddhist has heavyweight credentials when it comes to ousting prime ministers -- he did it in 1992, when he led a "people power" uprising against a military-led government. Around 50 people were killed.
THAKSIN SHINAWATRA
A billionaire telecoms tycoon before turning to politics, Thaksin, 58, stands alone as the only elected prime minister in Thailand's coup-prone history to complete a full term in office.
His populist policies won him huge support among the rural masses but upset Bangkok's middle classes and led to accusations of corruption, cronyism and abuse of power which led to his ouster in 2006.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in February to fight corruption charges. Few Thais believe his repeated insistence that he has quit politics.
KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ
Thailand's revered king completes 62 years on the throne this year, the world's longest-reigning sovereign.
A constitutional monarch, he has nevertheless intervened publicly in politics twice -- in both instances against military rulers and only after bloodshed on the streets of Bangkok.
Source: Reuters
The following are pen portraits of the key players in Thailand's long-running political crisis nearly two years after a bloodless 2006 coup.
SAMAK SUNDARAVEJ
A combative right-wing politician and celebrity chef, Thailand's prime minister leads a six-party coalition government struggling to cope with street protests, stuttering economic growth and soaring inflation.
Samak, 73, has made enemies in the military and royalist establishment since he campaigned in December elections as a frontman for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
SONDHI LIMTHONGKUL
A former business associate of Thaksin, bespectacled media tycoon Sondhi can claim justifiably to be the spark that lit the anti-Thaksin flame that resulted in the 2006 coup.
Sondhi, one of five leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which led 2005 street protests against Thaksin, has accused the Samak government of corruption and meddling in graft cases against the former prime minister.
Since the PAD renewed its protests on May 25, Thai shares have fallen more than 15 percent as investors worry about rising political tensions.
CHAMLONG SRIMUANG
A retired major-general and former Bangkok governor who first brought Thaksin into politics, the 72-year-old PAD leader is as unpredictable as he is tough.
The shaven-headed ascetic Buddhist has heavyweight credentials when it comes to ousting prime ministers -- he did it in 1992, when he led a "people power" uprising against a military-led government. Around 50 people were killed.
THAKSIN SHINAWATRA
A billionaire telecoms tycoon before turning to politics, Thaksin, 58, stands alone as the only elected prime minister in Thailand's coup-prone history to complete a full term in office.
His populist policies won him huge support among the rural masses but upset Bangkok's middle classes and led to accusations of corruption, cronyism and abuse of power which led to his ouster in 2006.
Thaksin returned to Thailand in February to fight corruption charges. Few Thais believe his repeated insistence that he has quit politics.
KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ
Thailand's revered king completes 62 years on the throne this year, the world's longest-reigning sovereign.
A constitutional monarch, he has nevertheless intervened publicly in politics twice -- in both instances against military rulers and only after bloodshed on the streets of Bangkok.
Source: Reuters
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson