Anti-government protestors siege Thailands Government House

by Agron | August 29, 2008 at 12:45 pm
380 views | 14 Recommendations | 2 comments

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Anti-government protestors siege Thailands Government House

Anti-government protestors siege Thailands Government House

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Thousands of People's Alliance Party supporters stormed the Thai Government house and the National Broadcast Company on 26 August 2008. 
Police say that some 65 people have been arrested so far and the court has issued the order to PAD protesters to vacate occupied government building and has issued arrest warrant for nine PAD leaders.
Protesters, defying a court order to end their siege, are camped on the grounds of Government House, saying they will remain until the coalition government lead by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej steps down, accusing Samak of being a figurehead for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra who is in self-imposed exile in UK amid corruption charges.
Mr. Samak Sundaravej, who was elected las December accuses PAD protesters of trying to provoke the military coup. Mr. Samak is still defiant, his government has a clear majority in parliament and he insists he retains a democratic mandate from last December elections. PM has been unable to persuade the security forces to control the protests, while security forces are denying that PAD can instigate military coup it raises suspicions that PAD must have some powerful backers inside the armed forces or among royalist elite. 
PM promised that the force will not be used against the protesters, however there were several failed attempts of the anti-riot police to enter the Government house with no success. 
On 29 August 2008, skirmishes between police and the protesters have occurred on the eastern gates of Government house, but after several minutes the police redrew its forces. 
Tension on Bangkok seem to mount as the PAD has launched new tactics urging unions to put on halt major government companies. Thai railways have halted all its traffic in thailand while three major airports in the south of Thailand have been blocked by the PAD protesters. 

Thai Metropolitan Police headquarters last night was attacked by the PAD protesters and it is reported that the tear gas was used to disburse the crowd. 

Tension remains high in Thai capital as the PAD protest enter its fifth day.

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Rachel Nixon
Rachel Nixon
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 21:18 on August 29th, 2008

Agron, these are great photos. I'd love to hear more about the protests and whether you think they will succeed in ousting the government.

Resonant Earth
Resonant Earth
flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 22:28 on September 5th, 2008

Agron, I like this story. It's good stuff. WOW keep us posted

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