Occupation of Govt House 'will continue for 2 more days' / Samak: PAD leaders have gone far beyond the limit / Occupation of Govt House 'will continue for 2 more days'
POST REPORTERS
The two-month stand-off between the government and its arch-rival, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), is primed to reach an explosive stage today after the government, led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, issued an ultimatum that the protests must end immediately.
Fed up with the rallies yesterday in which seven government and state buildings were raided, including Government House, Mr Samak's patience wore thin and he ordered Interior Minister Kowit Wattana to force the police to take action.
A short time later, police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Surapol Thuanthong announced the six key members of the anti-government group would face arrest warrants today if they refused to leave the Government House premises.
Targeted are core PAD leaders Sondhi Limthongkul, Pibhop Dhongchai, Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila.
Maj-Gen Chamlong and Mr Somsak and about 20,000 supporters stayed overnight in and around the compound of Government House.
Another PAD stronghold at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge had Mr Sondhi and Mr Pibhop in charge of events.
The six will face charges of organising a gathering of 10 or more people to cause a public disturbance and refusing to obey police orders, among other charges.
Police will ask the court to issue warrants for their arrest today and also ask the prosecution and the court to deny them bail.
But the PAD leaders showed no signs of giving up despite the warning.
Thousands of People's Alliance for Democracy protesters settle in for the night in the grounds of Government House after the PAD launched its `final war' on the government. |
Mr Sondhi said at the Makkhawan Rangsan camp that he and the other PAD leaders were ready to surrender if the court issued arrest warrants for them but that the protests would be continued by other demonstrators.
"I don't think they would dare to act against people whose feelings now are running high," Mr Sondhi said.
He urged supporters to continue demonstrating and be a part of history.
Mr Sondhi said the rallies and the occupation of Government House will continue for two more days.
A 4,050-strong combined force of riot police, border patrol police and officers from the Special Operations Division have been deployed around Government House. Maj-Gen Chamlong told PAD supporters in the compound of Government House to prepare to protect themselves in the event police use tear gas or water cannon to disperse them.
The protesters have tried to limit access at all points of entry at Government House.
Demonstrators swarm over the fence to Government House. |
Demonstrators tear down the gates of Government House. |
PAD protesters march into Government House. |
PAD demonstrators occupy Phitsanulok road before their march to Government House in the afternoon. |
PAD supporters rest inside the Transport Ministry after seizing the compound. |
Protesters put up a banner reading ``A bad government must leave'' on Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue. |
A smashed glass panel at the entrance to NBT television station on Vibhavadi Rangsit road. |
NBT news anchor Tuangporn Assawawilai scrambles over a fence to escape PAD supporters. |
The prime minister, who used the Supreme Command headquarters on Chaeng Wattana road as his base to coordinate his battle of wits with the PAD, made it very clear that the protest must come to an end.
"The government's patience is nearing the end of its tether. I will give them a last chance," Mr Samak said.
Mr Samak told PAD demonstrators to disperse or face legal action.
"If you don't want to get yourself into trouble and become offenders, you'd better step back and go home," the prime minister said.
Mr Samak slammed the PAD leaders for failing to hold peaceful gatherings in keeping with the constitution and described the intrusion into the NBT office as an unreasonable act.
The prime minister said the PAD core leaders had gone far beyond the limit.
He said he would not cave in to pressure from the PAD leaders and that it was impossible for him to allow them to gang up on the streets to seize power from the government.
"I won't budge, the cabinet won't budge, and the police and the military will not either," he said.
Mr Samak also demanded that media organisations take sides.
"Members of the media must weigh their options. Whose side are you on? In these circumstances, you cannot afford to stay in the middle," he said.
Mr Samak told foreign journalists last night the PAD was feeding off the hatred which exists still between it and his predecessor Thaksin Shinawatra.
The PAD had tried to find fault with the government from charter amendment to the Preah Vihear border dispute, he said, adding the government had not retaliated and remained calm.
"They said they will blow a whistle and the government must go. There are five of them along with one adviser," the prime minister said.
"They want bloodshed in the country. They want the military to come out and stage a coup again. They told the government to go. This is impossible," Mr Samak added.
Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, who, together with other military leaders, stayed with the prime minister, promised there would be no military coup to end the political crisis.
Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niempradit did not think it necessary to invoke emergency rule to restore order.
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