Police clash with protesters, then pull out. A court issues an eviction order, then changes its mind. An embattled prime minister asks for army support to declare a state of emergency, but is refused.
A political crisis, or farce?
Here is a brief summary of events, starting late this morning:
- Police move against protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy, who have taken over Government House. They want to put up notices from the courts, telling the protesters they will be evicted.
- Police also try to take the PAD protest site near the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen avenue, prompting a brief clash. Protesters re-take the site after driving a truck into police, who retreat.
- Earlier, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed police will not use violence to dispel the protest.
- Protesters ask court to overturn the eviction order, saying police resorted to violence in serving it. The court agrees.
- The PAD calls out more supporters. Reuters says crowd at Govt House swells to 25,000, after initially dwindling to a mere 3000 overnight due to rain.
- Mr Samak meets army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, asking if he can impose a state of emergency. Gen Anupong turns down his request, suggests he resign in the next couple of days, dissolve the House, and call a new election. He wants police to handle the situation rather than the army, and does not want any more coups.
- About 2000 PAD protesters lay siege to Police Headquarters. Protesters toss tear gas, bottles. Police deny claims they tossed back tear gas of their own. Heavily-armed police repel the protesters, who withdraw.
-In the South, PAD protesters take control of Hat Yai, Phuket and Krabi provincial airports. Nationwide, rail staff refuse to work, disrupting train services, and staff unions from utility companies and Thai Airways International threaten to go out in sympathy.
Can the government last the weekend?
A political crisis, or farce?
Here is a brief summary of events, starting late this morning:
- Police move against protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy, who have taken over Government House. They want to put up notices from the courts, telling the protesters they will be evicted.
- Police also try to take the PAD protest site near the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen avenue, prompting a brief clash. Protesters re-take the site after driving a truck into police, who retreat.
- Earlier, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed police will not use violence to dispel the protest.
- Protesters ask court to overturn the eviction order, saying police resorted to violence in serving it. The court agrees.
- The PAD calls out more supporters. Reuters says crowd at Govt House swells to 25,000, after initially dwindling to a mere 3000 overnight due to rain.
- Mr Samak meets army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, asking if he can impose a state of emergency. Gen Anupong turns down his request, suggests he resign in the next couple of days, dissolve the House, and call a new election. He wants police to handle the situation rather than the army, and does not want any more coups.
- About 2000 PAD protesters lay siege to Police Headquarters. Protesters toss tear gas, bottles. Police deny claims they tossed back tear gas of their own. Heavily-armed police repel the protesters, who withdraw.
-In the South, PAD protesters take control of Hat Yai, Phuket and Krabi provincial airports. Nationwide, rail staff refuse to work, disrupting train services, and staff unions from utility companies and Thai Airways International threaten to go out in sympathy.
Can the government last the weekend?
2 comments:
Okay, I owe you a couple of comments....so how has the current political unrest affected Mum's business?
When you get paid you might want to stop in and give your loyal readers and update...
Thank you for your interest, Tao. I will ask Mum next time I visit, on Monday.
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