MOVE ON GOVERNMENT HOUSE
Violence averted as PAD leaders claim easy victory
By The Nation
Published on June 21, 2008


Pressure mounts for Samak to resign


As several tens of thousands of supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy savour an easy victory with their success in surrounding Government House, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is under pressure to resign.


Political sources said Thaksin Shinawatra and the core leaders of the People Power Party have agreed that Samak should step down to pave the way for Education Minister Somchai Wongswat, a brother-in-law of Thaksin, to succeed him.


Samak held a tense, hour-long meeting in the afternoon with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan and Lt-General Prayuth Chan-ocha, commander of the First Army Region, at the Army Sports Club on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.


Sources said Samak was very annoyed with the police, who failed to prevent the PAD from surrounding the heart of his administration.


Samak and top military and police officials discussed the scope of the Emergency Decree and the Internal Security Act, but in the end Anupong and Prayuth signalled that Samak should make his own decision.


Chamlong Srimuang, one of the core leaders of the PAD, vowed to encamp the protesters in front of Government House until Samak resigned "because he is acting as a nominee for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra".


Police and security officials made little effort to block the protesters from surrounding the seat of government, despite warning earlier that they might use tear gas and plastic bullets.


The PAD quickly set up a new stage in front of Government House to hold their rallies, moving from Makhawan Rangsan Bridge. The PAD has been staging street demonstrations since May 25.


The police chief instructed his officers and security forces not to use force against the protesters. They will stop encroachment on Government House, but PAD leaders have said they will only camp around it.


Police estimated the crowd numbers at more than 22,000 but PAD supporters said they could be as many as 100,000. The PAD held a rally against Thaksin in front of Government House in 2006, which eventually led to the military coup.


Political sources indicate there will be a political solution to end the turmoil in the next few days, but it is not yet certain a formula satisfactory to all parties can be found.


Thai shares yesterday rallied 3.56 per cent, the largest single-day surge in five months, as hedge funds unwound positions on hopes that there would be no violence at the anti-government protest.


Jatuporn Prompan, an MP from the People Power Party, said he was afraid bloodshed was inevitable. "The PAD has no choice. They want to create chaos so that the military could come out to stage another coup."


Inside the People Power Party, Thaksin is reported to have signalled to Yongyuth Tiyapairat, deputy leader Newin Chidchob, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan and Sora-at Klinprathum that they should monitor the situation closely in case Samak decides to step down under political pressure.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/21/headlines/headlines_30076106.php