Thailand's prime minister declared a state of emergency....

[Coss]

Thai protesters brace for police assault

 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4775727a12.html

 

Protesters laying siege to Bangkok's two airports braced for a battle with security forces after Thailand's prime minister declared a state of emergency to end a blockade threatening to cripple the economy.

 

People's Alliance of Democracy "security guards" manned a series of road blocks of razor wire, crash barriers and plastic water bottles on the expressway leading to the capital's US$4 billion Suvarnabhumi airport, shut since Tuesday.

 

The men, armed with sticks and metal bars, checked cars entering the area. There were similar scenes at Bangkok's Don Muang airport, whose closure late on Wednesday severed all air links between the city of 8 million and the outside world.

 

In a televised address from the government stronghold of Chiang Mai, 700km north of Bangkok, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared emergency law, saying the export and tourism-driven economy could not tolerate further disruption.

 

"I need to do something to restore peace and order," he said.

 

A similar declaration in September to dislodge PAD protesters occupying Government House was ignored by the army and, even though the PAD were preparing to repel a police assault, it was not clear when, or even if, one would materialize.

 

The PAD refused to end their sit-ins, which have forced hundreds of flights to be canceled, stranding thousands of foreign tourists in one of Asia's biggest air hubs and grounding millions of dollars of air cargo.

 

"We will not leave. We will use human shields against the police if they try to disperse us," PAD leader Suriyasai Katasila said.

 

Another PAD figurehead threatened to expand the movement's six-month campaign by bringing Bangkok's traffic network to a halt with flying protests at dozens of motorway intersections.

 

A government spokesman said the economy could lose at least 100 billion baht (US$2.8 billion) if the sieges drag on for a month, and reduce GDP growth for the year to 4 percent from a current estimate of 4.5 percent, already a seven-year low.

 

FINAL BATTLE

 

Thailand's three-year-old political crisis has deepened dramatically since the PAD began a "final battle" on Monday to unseat a government it accuses of being a pawn of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a 2006 coup. Somchai is Thaksin's brother-in-law.

 

Pressure has built on the army to step in since Somchai rejected military calls to quit, but pro-government forces are threatening to take up arms if the elected administration is ousted, raising fears of major civil unrest.

 

Anupong has repeatedly said he would not take over, arguing the army is powerless to heal the fundamental political rifts between the Bangkok elite and middle classes who despise Thaksin, and the majority rural and urban poor who love him.

 

However, rumors continued to swirl round the capital of the army preparing to launch what would be Thailand's 19th coup or attempted coup in 76 years of on-off democracy.

 

"They are 100 percent on standby," a high-ranking former military officer, who declined to be named, said.

 

Some office workers went home early on Thursday and the United Nations advised its staff to remain indoors.

 

Tension has been rising elsewhere in the country, with a pro-government gang in Chiang Mai dragging a PAD activist from his car and shooting him dead.

 

The government offered to shuttle thousands of stranded tourists by bus to U-Tapao, a Vietnam War-era naval airbase 150km (90 miles) east of Bangkok as an alternative landing site for airlines. It is not known if any have taken up the offer.

 

Among those stranded at the 125,000 passenger-a-day Suvarnabhumi were hundreds of Thai Muslims booked on a once-in-a-lifetime haj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

 

"Some of them have saved all their lives for this," said Muhammed Yusouf, guide accompanying the pilgrims, many of whom would be traveling by plane for the first time.

 

"If they miss this opportunity, they might not get a second chance."

 

cheers

 

Coss

[Bangkoktraveler]

This crisis might revolve around Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra. She wants part of the 76 billion baht that was seized. But she can't return for fear of arrest. If she could return without being arrested, she might be able to negotiate with Somchai to suspend Parliament. If a deal can be made, Mr. T might return, a bigger problem.

[Bangkoktraveler]

Gunshots heard near Don Mueang Airport

 

 

A series of gunshots were heard near Don Muean Airport where protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy were occupying early Friday.

 

Over ten gunshots were heard at about 4:50 am in an area in front of the airport.

 

PAD guards said they saw a man in a black pick-up truck firing into the air.

 

Then at 6:30 am, dozens of gunshots were heard again, sending PAD guards to run around to check the incident.

Link

[Flashermac]

Explosions and gunfire reported near Govmt House too. PDD playing mind games?

[Flashermac]

Bangkok Post

28 Nov 2008

 

 

Inept under siege

 

By Atiya Achakulwisut

 

 

The country cannot bow to what is essentially an act of terrorism. [color:red]But Mr Somchai and his cabinet must realise that it is their complete ineptitude - selfishness in some cases - that gives life to the PAD.[/color]

 

The country has been put under a state of siege by the lawless People's Alliance for Democracy.

 

In the streets, people are shooting at one another. Bombs are going off. People are being killed. Angry tourists are stranded at the hijacked Suvarnabhumi airport worrying about a lost Thanksgiving family reunion.

 

And a nervous-looking Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat goes on TV to tell us that he has received a set of decorations from the Peruvian government!

 

What a thoughtless, tactless, unintelligent move from a country's leader.

 

If PM Somchai - who appeared timid and haggard, more like an old turkey about to be slaughtered than an internal security chief - wanted to publicly turn down Gen Anupong Paojinda's recommendation that he dissolve the House to prevent the political crisis from boiling over (if it hasn't already!), why couldn't he say so in a clear and coherent manner?

 

He could have taken the opportunity to speak to the Thai public and the international community - who have been holding their collective breath for a few days after the airport siege and desperately need to exhale - about how he would proceed to defuse the situation.

 

Instead, he went on and on about the mundane issue of what his government has achieved but failed to advertise. Does anyone want to know more about the government's dust-free streets project now?

 

I can sympathise with people who accuse Mr Somchai of being a puppet of his famous brother-in-law. He does look like a puppet, after all. The country is on the brink of a civil war and he had nothing to offer but the awkward stuttering over a poorly-prepared script which did not address the serious issue at hand.

 

As people are literally being beaten to death because of the colour of their shirts or their presumed association, the premier told Thais to play the proud and generous host to expatriates during the upcoming Asean summit, so that the world may appreciate our ability and potential.

 

Did the PM just go to Peru, or to outer space? Doesn't he realise there might be no Asean summit unless he puts his brains to work and frees Suvarnabhumi from the siege?

 

I can't call on PM Somchai to resign now, as it would mean bowing to what is essentially tantamount to an act of terrorism by the protesters. The PAD can't be allowed to enjoy any sense of triumph after its damaging aggression at the airport and they must be taken into account for their treacherous act.

 

However, Mr Somchai and his cabinet must realise that it is their complete ineptitude - selfishness in some cases - that gives life to the PAD. It is their flaws which give the PAD a reason to exist. They are the "government." They are here to "govern" the country", not to outwit the PAD at all costs.

 

It can be argued that if only they had tried to do their jobs properly and not functioned only as a PAD rival, things would not have deteriorated so badly.

 

In a perfect-world scenario, a government that couldn't defend its own seat of power - let alone an airport - from protesters, would have offered its resignation. To put all the blame on Army chief Anupong Paojinda is beside the point, they have been in charge of the country all the time. In Thailand, however, the democratic etiquette has yet to take root. We are hacking one another to death to defend our version of democracy after all.

 

At this point, I don't think the government or the PAD cares how much damage they would do to the country and the people, with their high-stakes battle of wills. An appeal on altruistic grounds would thus be useless.

 

On a practical basis, though, both sides must realise that they can't raise the stakes higher from now on, nor can they sustain it. Neither of them has a trump card or an endgame in sight. Neither the government nor the PAD can have a decisive victory.

 

Under the situation, both sides would have to end up at the negotiating table even after they unleash an all-out war and let both red- and yellow-shirted Thai blood flood the country.

 

The question is, would they rather get down to talk now and save an unnecessary tragedy, or plough on and face the monstrosity of their choice?

[Torneyboy]

One would suspect so..

[Torneyboy]

Pressure has built on the army to step in since Somchai rejected military calls to quit, but pro-government forces are threatening to take up arms if the elected administration is ousted, raising fears of major civil unrest.

 

I sure hope not ..

[WorldFun]

this oppinion piece is simply spot on in my view.

shows what a hopeless & sad situation Thailand hos gotten itself into helped by the 2 opposing sides.

several parts is better than most jokes although I suppose they are the best Somchai has to offer. such a shame really.

why doesn't he just invite sondhi for high tea & a settlement at his 'exile' mansion?