Security tightens at Government House to block anti-govt protestors

Bangkok, June 20 (TNA) - Thousands of police officers have barricaded
roads around Government House to block anti-government protestors from
moving in to besiege the government seat Friday afternoon, aimed at
pressureing 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.

Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD core leaders, said the group's rally
would be peacefully, and its supporters would not seize Government House.

Army Chief Anupong Paochinda said earlier that the army would not get
involved or use force against the crowds.

"It's the police who will take charge," said the Army chief. "I'm sure
they have proper measures to handle the situation."

Police Chief Pol.Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan said the police would use only
non-violent measures and exercise the utmost patience.

Concerns that the PAD-led protests could turn violent spooked investors
who unloaded their stocks over the past three weeks.

Thai stock index opened lower Friday at 737.83, down 4.63 points.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand's president Patareeya Benjapolchai on
Thursday conceded the SET composite index went into a free fall upon
investor concerns over the persistent gathering of anti-government
demonstrators.

She said rising inflation and upward interest trend also made investors
jittery and slow their investment in the stock market, opting instead to
sell off shares to reduce risks while they monitor the situation. (TNA)