paulg
March 6th, 2006, 18:12
Breaking news Bangkok Post monday 1200 GMT
ANTI THAKSIN CROWD PUSHES ON
Around 40,000 anti-Thaksin demonstrators marched to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House (above) from Sanam Luang and plan nightly protests against the prime minister. тАФ SOMCHAI LAOPAISARNTAKSIN
Protesters march to Democracy Monument, Government House --- Bigger gathering than last time, vows nightly protests until PM goes --- Face-off on Ratchadamnoen; Thaksin 'won't bend to mob
The snowballing protests against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra entered their fifth week last night with a new strategy: An indefinite campaign of nightly protests at Sanam Luang, until Mr Thaksin resigns.
The protesters last night marched to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House where they heard a continuing series of speeches from anti-Thaksin speakers, before leaders announced they would return to Sanam Luang to plan and kick off the prolonged resistance early today.
Mr Thaksin, meanwhile, remained defiant and told a crowd of about 20,000 supporters in Khon Kaen province that he would not bow to pressure.
A demonstrator takes a bite of corn in front of an enlarged picture depicting Mr Thaksin as swallowing up Thailand. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
Children distribute stickers calling for the ouster of the caretaker premier. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
''Those people have brought down several governments. They are trying to unseat me even though my government has huge support,'' he told the audience.
''Other prime ministers in the past succumbed to their demands. But I won't. I don't want to set a bad precedent,'' he went on.
In Bankgok, more than 100,000 protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy converged on Sanam Luang, including students, the public and followers of the Santi Asoke religious centre led by Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang.
The crowd looked bigger than the previous rally, despite attempts by state authorities to obstruct people reaching Bangkok from the provinces. Police searched handbags for weapons and a 100-strong anti-riot squad, with batons and shields, kept a close watch on the cheering crowd.
''The country is in trouble. The more the people are mobilised to show support for the government, the more the country is divided,'' said Maj-Gen Chamong, Mr Thaksin's former mentor. ''How can the prime minister remain in the position amid such conflict?''
About 9pm, media firebrand Sondhi Limthongul and other PAD representatives mounted the stage and told the protesters they were to move to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House, and finally return to Sanam Luang. They were to break up their rally this morning, and assemble again for another protest rally this evening.
''Do not touch the Government Lottery Office. Don't damage things. At Government House, do not force the gate or try to get inside the premises,'' Mr Sondhi told the protesters.
Protesters wave national flags and display posters criticising caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday during an anti-Thaksin rally at Sanam Luang. тАФ APICHART JINAKUL
Tens of thousands of people crowded Sanam Luang yesterday during a protest demanding Mr Thaksin resign from the premiership and leave politics. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
A demonstrator takes a bite of corn in front of an enlarged picture depicting Mr Thaksin as swallowing up Thailand. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
Wearing headbands reading "Student Power" students in white join the PAD's demonstration at Sanam Luang. тАФ APICHIT JINAKUL
Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy display pictures portraying caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in various guises at the rally yesterday at Sanam Luang. тАФ APICHIT JINAKUL
Mr Sondhi went on to say that Mr Thaksin insisted on not resigning because he had not yet been paid for the Shin Corp shares sold to Singapore's Temasek Holdings.
The protesters moved from Sanam Luang at 9.30pm, leaving behind only a number of elderly folk.
At 10.15pm, Mr Sondhi and Maj-Gen Chamlong took the stage at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen avenue.
About 100 anti-riot police, armed with batons and shields, stood in four rows to block Ratchadamnoen avenue at Phan Fa Leelart bridge, on the way to Government House.
At first, Pol Maj-Gen Pramote Pathumwong, Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief, said he would not let the protesters march on because Suan Amporn, which is on the way, will today be used as a venue for a degree commencement ceremony.
He said he would ask protesters for reasons if they insisted on moving on.
The police, however, finally gave in to the protesters, after some managed to push through the police cordon with brief scuffling.
After Phan Fa Leelart bridge, the demonstrators encountered a second cordon of police in front of the Agriculture Ministry at 11.15pm and were told to sit down while their leaders negotiated with the police.
Maj-Gen Chamlong begged police to let them go, to prevent traffic jams this morning. ''We promise that we won't touch one inch of the Government House fences. Believe me. Such a small number of police is not enough to keep us here,'' he told the police.
The police subsequently retreated and allowed the protesters to proceed along Ratchadamnoen avenue while protest leader Suwit Watnoo kept telling the demonstrators to march slowly.
At that time, the head of the column of protesters reached Makkhawan Rangsan bridge and stopped to wait for the rest, while members of the Dharma Army arrived in front of the army headquarters.
As the protesters reached Government House at about 11.30, police formed a cordon encircling the premises.
Mr Sondhi again went on stage and repeated his attack on the prime minister.
POLITICS / RIVALS'TUG-OF-WAR CONTINUES
Police stop traffic headed for city rally
POST REPORTERS
Police set up highway checkpoints yesterday and stopped vehicles heading into Bangkok for "arms and drugs checks," apparently to deter people from joining the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra demonstration at Sanam Luang.
As far away as Sa Kaeo, checkpoints mushroomed on the orders of Police Region 2 chief Lt-Gen Jongrak Juthanont. Vehicles leaving the province for Bangkok were stopped for painstaking searches and inquiries.
At Ban Kaeng district in Sa Kaeo, traffic was blocked as angry bus passengers sat down on the highway after a half-hour row with policemen manning the checkpoints. The police eventually allowed them to travel on.
In Saraburi, at least 13 checkpoints were set up around the province at dawn yesterday.
Frustrated drivers caught in the jam said police at a checkpoint at Phra Phutthabat police station delayed their trips.
Highway Police Region 7 superintendent Pol Col Angkul Klaikleung, overseeing the southern highways, said he had received no orders to block either chartered buses or private vehicles travelling to Bangkok.
But he expressed concern rally-goers might be carrying weapons to Sanam Luang, or that traffickers might use the crowds to slip through to deliver drugs.
In Kanchanaburi, people claiming to come from the Prime Minister's Office warned staff of Moo Ban Dek (Children's Village School), which is an alternative school for the under-privileged, not to join the rally.
"We planned to accompany 30 students who are keen on taking part in the Sanam Luang gathering," said principal Rachani Thongchai, adding that staff were frightened.
Meanwhile, two separate caravans of die-hard Thaksin supporters headed for Bangkok on foot or riding E-tan farm trucks, to show support for Mr Thaksin.
Chiang Rai and Phayao farmers with green headbands and Thai flags travelled in about 200 trucks.
They made a stop at the Por Jao Thip Chang shrine in Lampang yesterday.
A caravan of the poor from the Northeast has been travelling on foot towards Bangkok, under the leadership of Attharit Singlor, chairman of the Network for Northeastern Farm Groups, and Boonta Kanboonchan, adviser to the Assembly of Northeastern Farmers, from Ubon Ratchathani.
About 500 farmers were to spend the first night at Buri Ram's Krasang district. The caravan hoped to attract supporters along the way and expected to swell to as many as 100,000 by the time it reaches Nakhon Ratchasima, after which it plans to merge on the highway with northern marchers.
ANTI THAKSIN CROWD PUSHES ON
Around 40,000 anti-Thaksin demonstrators marched to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House (above) from Sanam Luang and plan nightly protests against the prime minister. тАФ SOMCHAI LAOPAISARNTAKSIN
Protesters march to Democracy Monument, Government House --- Bigger gathering than last time, vows nightly protests until PM goes --- Face-off on Ratchadamnoen; Thaksin 'won't bend to mob
The snowballing protests against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra entered their fifth week last night with a new strategy: An indefinite campaign of nightly protests at Sanam Luang, until Mr Thaksin resigns.
The protesters last night marched to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House where they heard a continuing series of speeches from anti-Thaksin speakers, before leaders announced they would return to Sanam Luang to plan and kick off the prolonged resistance early today.
Mr Thaksin, meanwhile, remained defiant and told a crowd of about 20,000 supporters in Khon Kaen province that he would not bow to pressure.
A demonstrator takes a bite of corn in front of an enlarged picture depicting Mr Thaksin as swallowing up Thailand. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
Children distribute stickers calling for the ouster of the caretaker premier. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
''Those people have brought down several governments. They are trying to unseat me even though my government has huge support,'' he told the audience.
''Other prime ministers in the past succumbed to their demands. But I won't. I don't want to set a bad precedent,'' he went on.
In Bankgok, more than 100,000 protesters under the People's Alliance for Democracy converged on Sanam Luang, including students, the public and followers of the Santi Asoke religious centre led by Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang.
The crowd looked bigger than the previous rally, despite attempts by state authorities to obstruct people reaching Bangkok from the provinces. Police searched handbags for weapons and a 100-strong anti-riot squad, with batons and shields, kept a close watch on the cheering crowd.
''The country is in trouble. The more the people are mobilised to show support for the government, the more the country is divided,'' said Maj-Gen Chamong, Mr Thaksin's former mentor. ''How can the prime minister remain in the position amid such conflict?''
About 9pm, media firebrand Sondhi Limthongul and other PAD representatives mounted the stage and told the protesters they were to move to the Democracy Monument and then to Government House, and finally return to Sanam Luang. They were to break up their rally this morning, and assemble again for another protest rally this evening.
''Do not touch the Government Lottery Office. Don't damage things. At Government House, do not force the gate or try to get inside the premises,'' Mr Sondhi told the protesters.
Protesters wave national flags and display posters criticising caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday during an anti-Thaksin rally at Sanam Luang. тАФ APICHART JINAKUL
Tens of thousands of people crowded Sanam Luang yesterday during a protest demanding Mr Thaksin resign from the premiership and leave politics. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
A demonstrator takes a bite of corn in front of an enlarged picture depicting Mr Thaksin as swallowing up Thailand. тАФ SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL
Wearing headbands reading "Student Power" students in white join the PAD's demonstration at Sanam Luang. тАФ APICHIT JINAKUL
Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy display pictures portraying caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in various guises at the rally yesterday at Sanam Luang. тАФ APICHIT JINAKUL
Mr Sondhi went on to say that Mr Thaksin insisted on not resigning because he had not yet been paid for the Shin Corp shares sold to Singapore's Temasek Holdings.
The protesters moved from Sanam Luang at 9.30pm, leaving behind only a number of elderly folk.
At 10.15pm, Mr Sondhi and Maj-Gen Chamlong took the stage at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen avenue.
About 100 anti-riot police, armed with batons and shields, stood in four rows to block Ratchadamnoen avenue at Phan Fa Leelart bridge, on the way to Government House.
At first, Pol Maj-Gen Pramote Pathumwong, Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief, said he would not let the protesters march on because Suan Amporn, which is on the way, will today be used as a venue for a degree commencement ceremony.
He said he would ask protesters for reasons if they insisted on moving on.
The police, however, finally gave in to the protesters, after some managed to push through the police cordon with brief scuffling.
After Phan Fa Leelart bridge, the demonstrators encountered a second cordon of police in front of the Agriculture Ministry at 11.15pm and were told to sit down while their leaders negotiated with the police.
Maj-Gen Chamlong begged police to let them go, to prevent traffic jams this morning. ''We promise that we won't touch one inch of the Government House fences. Believe me. Such a small number of police is not enough to keep us here,'' he told the police.
The police subsequently retreated and allowed the protesters to proceed along Ratchadamnoen avenue while protest leader Suwit Watnoo kept telling the demonstrators to march slowly.
At that time, the head of the column of protesters reached Makkhawan Rangsan bridge and stopped to wait for the rest, while members of the Dharma Army arrived in front of the army headquarters.
As the protesters reached Government House at about 11.30, police formed a cordon encircling the premises.
Mr Sondhi again went on stage and repeated his attack on the prime minister.
POLITICS / RIVALS'TUG-OF-WAR CONTINUES
Police stop traffic headed for city rally
POST REPORTERS
Police set up highway checkpoints yesterday and stopped vehicles heading into Bangkok for "arms and drugs checks," apparently to deter people from joining the anti-Thaksin Shinawatra demonstration at Sanam Luang.
As far away as Sa Kaeo, checkpoints mushroomed on the orders of Police Region 2 chief Lt-Gen Jongrak Juthanont. Vehicles leaving the province for Bangkok were stopped for painstaking searches and inquiries.
At Ban Kaeng district in Sa Kaeo, traffic was blocked as angry bus passengers sat down on the highway after a half-hour row with policemen manning the checkpoints. The police eventually allowed them to travel on.
In Saraburi, at least 13 checkpoints were set up around the province at dawn yesterday.
Frustrated drivers caught in the jam said police at a checkpoint at Phra Phutthabat police station delayed their trips.
Highway Police Region 7 superintendent Pol Col Angkul Klaikleung, overseeing the southern highways, said he had received no orders to block either chartered buses or private vehicles travelling to Bangkok.
But he expressed concern rally-goers might be carrying weapons to Sanam Luang, or that traffickers might use the crowds to slip through to deliver drugs.
In Kanchanaburi, people claiming to come from the Prime Minister's Office warned staff of Moo Ban Dek (Children's Village School), which is an alternative school for the under-privileged, not to join the rally.
"We planned to accompany 30 students who are keen on taking part in the Sanam Luang gathering," said principal Rachani Thongchai, adding that staff were frightened.
Meanwhile, two separate caravans of die-hard Thaksin supporters headed for Bangkok on foot or riding E-tan farm trucks, to show support for Mr Thaksin.
Chiang Rai and Phayao farmers with green headbands and Thai flags travelled in about 200 trucks.
They made a stop at the Por Jao Thip Chang shrine in Lampang yesterday.
A caravan of the poor from the Northeast has been travelling on foot towards Bangkok, under the leadership of Attharit Singlor, chairman of the Network for Northeastern Farm Groups, and Boonta Kanboonchan, adviser to the Assembly of Northeastern Farmers, from Ubon Ratchathani.
About 500 farmers were to spend the first night at Buri Ram's Krasang district. The caravan hoped to attract supporters along the way and expected to swell to as many as 100,000 by the time it reaches Nakhon Ratchasima, after which it plans to merge on the highway with northern marchers.