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  1. #1
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    PAD moves on Government House - Friday 20th

    Security cordons broken; PAD moves on Government House

    BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - Thousands of anti-government demonstrators broke through riot police blockades to push their way towards Government House.

    Breaking through the cordons, Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders said they are expecting "hundreds of thousands" of sympathisers to join the rally, including some members of state enterprise unions who are to join them.

    Protesters seeking to remove the seated government 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 Srimuan renewed his pledge that the democracy activists 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.

    Thousands of police officers armed with riot shieds barricaded roads around Thailand's Government House to block anti-government protestors from moving in to besiege the government seat Friday afternoon, aimed at forcing the elected government to resign.

    Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who also serves as defence 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. (TNA)


    -----

    Besiege in the making



    Follow today's tense political developments in our minute-by-minute report.



    2.35pm : After achieving in surrounding the Government House, the protesters try to move police trucks that formed the barricade in front of the Government House. However, police told the protesters that they will move the trucks themselves.

    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.

    Most of protesters who are on the front line, confronting with police, were seen wearing masks in preparation in case police wear tear gas to disperse them.

    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.

    2.08pm: Police clash with protesters on Nakhon Pathom Road again as the protesters tried to break the police line.

    12.15pm : People's Alliance for Democracy's leaders; Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, and Somkiet Pongpaiboon (a Democrat MP) appear at the gathering of protesters at Nang Lueng horse racing stadium.

    The stadium is less than 100 meters from the Government House. It seemed that Chamlong and other leaders sneak from the protest at Makawan Rangsan Bridge. The anti-government speeches at the Bridge continues.

    1.29pm : Police re-erect the barricades which were scattered when the protesters break the police line.

    1.27pm : PAD march reaches all police's inner barriers guarding Gov't House
    About two hours of multi-pronged march, the People's Alliance for Democracy has managed to advance to inner barriers set up by police to guard Government House.

    Tens of thousands of protesters are unarmed in the orderly march and about 5,000 anti-riot police, also unarmed, are deployed at barriers.

    The main thrust led by Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul has halted feet apart from the barrier at Nang Lerng. Anti-riot forces line up four deep behind iron dividers. After the police line, armoured vehicles are parked to deter the crowds.

    Other main barriers are located at Makawan Rangsan Bridge, Misakawan Intersection, the Royal Plaza and the Marble Temple.

    Few protesters have been seen to have sneaked pass barriers and reach Government House but not in significant numbers to lay siege.

    1.22pm : Protesters at Benjamabophit Temple achieve in breaking police barricades and they are on Nakhon Pathom Road. Clashing with police continues.

    12.42pm : Leaders of People's Alliance for Democracy : Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul climb on top of truck and tell people to stick together and be united.

    They ask the protesters to prepare to move their protest to the Government House.

    11.56am : Sondhi Limthongkul makes a brief statement, urging people to remain calm and wait for the signal from the protest's leaders when to march from the Makawan Rangsan Bridge to the Government House.


    11.45am - Chamlong Srimung gets on to a truck and start speaking to the cheering crowds. It is still unclear what he would do next.

    Some of the protesters came faces to face with police who form ed a thick barricade to prevent the rally from moving from Makawan Rangsan Bridge to the Government House.

    11.30am - A speaker on the stage warns people that the government may use tear gas to disperse the protest. He urges the protesters to remain calm and use cloth to be distributed to them to cover their nose and mouth.



    http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/20/headlines/headlines_30076032.php
    Last edited by gjbkk; 20-06-2008 at 03:51 PM. Reason: link

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Here we go, Here we go, Here we go............

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    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.


    ''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

    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.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Anybody watching this? "On the spot" so too speak. The TV is showing nothing up here.

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    im actually thinking of heading over there and taking some pics

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    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    gjbkk

    a link to where the reporting is coming from please.

    My sister in law has driven up from the south to be there today.

    She's 50

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    PAD seems determined to cause bloodshed and draw the army into it.

    This kind of behaviour wouldn't be tolerated in any western democracy.

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    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    should I go to the supermarket and stock up??

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    I hope we get lots of updates here cos their's fck all on't telly.

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    PM rumoured to meet Army chief

    Army chief General Anupong Paochinda on Friday left his office at about 4 pm for an undisclosed destination. Sources said he was summoned to meet Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej at the Army Officers Club, Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

    Samake reportedly held the meeting with Anupong and First Army commander Lt General Prayuth Chan-ocha to assess the situation on the besieging of Government House.

    The Nation

    Bangkok's Independent Newspaper

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    As an aside I mentioned the events in BKK to my wife and my MIL. (We're out near Chang Kong)

    Response........Hmmmm what you eat tonight?

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    I think Samak might resign as PM this weekend



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    Pro-government group rallies against coup

    BANGKOK, June 20 (TNA) - More supporters of a pro-government group converged Friday on central Bangkok not far from the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), whose members and supporters were moving their rally to Government House which houses Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's office.

    Members and supporters of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship were gathering on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, less than a kilometre from where PAD members hours before rallied to demand the ouster of the government which form ally gained power in early February following a general election in December.

    Front members set up steel barricades and also screened people entering or leaving their rally site.

    Charan Dittha-apichai, a core leader of the front, said the group's objectives in the rally are to opposing any form of unlawful force which is trying to topple the elected government.

    Mr. Charan said his group would not move the site of its rally or use force against the PAD members who are moving to Government House.

    He said his group would continue its demonstration "until the situation eases" and that his members are opposed to any form of military coup.

    Officials of the Transport and the Agriculture and Cooperatives ministries were allowed to return home at noon on safety concerns. (TNA)

    http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4842

  16. #16
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Panda View Post
    PAD seems determined to cause bloodshed and draw the army into it.

    This kind of behaviour wouldn't be tolerated in any western democracy.
    Agree with you Panda.

    Hope not another 1992 in the making.

    Must be other ways to solve there issues. Will the people here ever learn.

    Sad really and the front line poor are going those who may suffer the most.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    To all you BKK old timers.....

    How serious do you think it might get?

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    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gjbkk View Post
    I think Samak might resign as PM this weekend

    How the hell did he of all people manage to weasel his way into the PM post?.

    And why did he want the job anyway. Wealthy enough already, mid 70's, caused his fair share of shit here already and in the past or maybe it was just his way and to rub others noses into the shit?


    Oblivious to the real responsibiltiy and when holding such a position and so it seems. Self indulgence and in it's most sinister example.

    If he and others like him were posting on TK they would be all in jail and where they belong (never to return). Proper adjudication and sentencing here.

  19. #19
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    All bullocks. The PAD did not break through any barriers. There were sporadic clashes with police followed by the police allowing them through the barricades.

    Chitown

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    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jandajoy View Post
    To all you BKK old timers.....

    How serious do you think it might get?
    Wonder what the King is thinking at the moment?

    Hope he is up to it again this time. God bless him.

  21. #21
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    The media source that put this out has overblown the situation. The police allowed the PAD past the barricades after brief clashes.

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    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chitown View Post
    All bullocks. The PAD did not break through any barriers. There were sporadic clashes with police followed by the police allowing them through the barricades.

    Chitown
    Thank god.

    In 1992 the protestors moved a couple of 100 metres and the army opened fire with M16s.

    There may be hope yet and not to witness another blood bath.

    Keeping my fingers crossed.

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    Its a face off like two guys bumping overinflated chests and calling each other names in the hope the other will throw the first punch and be considered the baddie.

    PAD wants a conflict, preferably involving violence. The government doesn't want a conflict and knows a violent put down of the protests at this stage) would paint them as an oppressive regime with something to hide.

    PAD keeps ramping up the pressure hoping to provoke the government into a forceful response that will surely result in at least some violence.

    Its all a big PR game of high stakes. Somewhere down the line the government will have to move against the PAD provocation. Otherwise they will be seen as weak and lacking support. Where and when that point of conflict comes is a critical matter of timing and strategy on both sides. Who will end up being seen as the good guys or the bad guys.

    Right at the moment I think the government is playing the strategic game well.
    But if PAD keeps stepping up something will give sooner or later.
    It remains to be seen how far PAD will push the government to provoke violence and draw the army into it. If Pad becomes too belligerent, they risk losing public credibility (not that they have much outside Bangkok anyway).

    To put things in their true perspective, the PAD protesters represent less than 0.03% of Thai voters. And that's being very generous, assuming they can raise 10,000 protesters in their Bangkok heartland.

    PAD represents an extremely small percentage of Thai voters and as such would be unlikely to win even one seat in government if they choose to be part of the democratic system of government. However, it is a fact that this minuscule representation of the voting public has the potential to incite a military coup and topple a democratically elected government.

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    Hope it is over sooner than later. Coz the longer it takes the worse it gets.

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    I am not saying that this over and that there will not be bloodshed, but what I am saying is that todays protest was all about face. A mai pen rai show of force by both the police and the protesters.

    As for numbers? maybe 10,000 protesters, 60% to 70% upper class Thai Chinese. There were many men present but also many women, children, and elderly people.

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