PAD rally sets its sights on Government House
POST REPORTERS
Police set up a road block near Government House ahead of today's protest by the People's Alliance for Democracy. The protesters plan to converge on Government House about 1pm |
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.
''We still do not require your services. It is the job of the police, so let them do it,'' he told the participants, who included army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda, defence permanent secretary Gen Winai Phatthiyakul, navy chief-of-staff Adm Decha Yooprot, deputy air force chief ACM Paisan Sitabut and Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung.
Lashing out at the planned demonstration, Mr Samak said his administration had taken an oath to serve the country and he would not cave in to street protests.
A source said the government's priority in handling the protest was to stop demonstrators from getting close to Government House.
But the issuing of an emergency decree could not be ruled out in three districts in Bangkok if police fail to keep the rally in check and violence looms, said the source.
Gen Anupong insisted the army would keep its distance and that political problems should be resolved through political means.
To ensure safety for officials and students near the protest site, Government House staff have been told to leave their offices at noon today, and schools surrounding government offices are closed. The Education Ministry has given staff a day's leave.
Meanwhile, the Second Infantry Division Royal Guards have advised the public not to panic if they see troops in the city today.
In an announcement, the division said troops would be returning from a military exercise in Saraburi to their barracks in Dusit and Phaya Thai districts between 5.30am and 9pm.
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