ID :
10445
Sat, 06/21/2008 - 09:09
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/10445
The shortlink copeid
PM, top brass confer as protestors besiege Government House
Bangkok, June 21 (TNA) - Thailand's top Army commanders met with
beleaguered Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej late Friday after protestors scored a psychological victory -- or at least points -- in their quest to peacefully nudge the premier from office.
The prime minister called a meeting with army chief General Anupong
Paochinda and First Army Region Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha -- after
peaceful protestors broke through barriers and besieged the prime
ministers offices. Gen. Prayuth disclosed later that he and the army chief
had reported the latest developments of the anti-government rallies to the
premier and also reviewed the situation.
After a four-week rally demanding that the coalition government of Prime
Minister Samak Sundaravej leave office, members and supporters of the
anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Friday marched to
Government House and camped there.
Amid applauds by members and supporters, PAD coordinator Suriyasai
Katasila declared a victory atop a platform used as the rally focal point
during the nearly month-long demonstration after learning that small PAD
groups had blocked an exit gate at Government House.
The protestors at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP) headquarters about a kilometre away from Government House,
clapped hands in appreciation of the police who allowed their colleagues
to march to Government House without using violence.
It was feared earlier that the police might use tear gas to dispersing the
protestors and prevent them from going to Government House.
The atmosphere in front of the UN offices before the protestors were able
to lay siege to Government House was quite tense as the police tried their
best to prevent the demonstrators from crossing a small bridge in front of
ESCAP.
But their attempts succeeded eventually after protestors separated into
small groups and were joined by members of several state-enterprise labour
unions -- including Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
and Thai Airways International.
Four police officers -- including two women -- were injured after
demonstrators pushed iron barricades, which fell on some of the officers.
Mr. Samak, who also serves as defence minister, earlier pledged to refrain
from using force against the protesters.
He and other cabinet members were not at Government House on Friday.
Government spokesman Wichianchote Sukchotrat said some schools and
government offices near Government House were ordered to close Friday for
safety reasons.
The Thai stock market rose 3.56 percent Friday as the anti-government
rallies remained peaceful, analysts said.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index soared 26.44 points
to close at 768.90 points, while the bluechip SET 50 index rebounded 21.88
points to close at 550.46. (TNA)
beleaguered Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej late Friday after protestors scored a psychological victory -- or at least points -- in their quest to peacefully nudge the premier from office.
The prime minister called a meeting with army chief General Anupong
Paochinda and First Army Region Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha -- after
peaceful protestors broke through barriers and besieged the prime
ministers offices. Gen. Prayuth disclosed later that he and the army chief
had reported the latest developments of the anti-government rallies to the
premier and also reviewed the situation.
After a four-week rally demanding that the coalition government of Prime
Minister Samak Sundaravej leave office, members and supporters of the
anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Friday marched to
Government House and camped there.
Amid applauds by members and supporters, PAD coordinator Suriyasai
Katasila declared a victory atop a platform used as the rally focal point
during the nearly month-long demonstration after learning that small PAD
groups had blocked an exit gate at Government House.
The protestors at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP) headquarters about a kilometre away from Government House,
clapped hands in appreciation of the police who allowed their colleagues
to march to Government House without using violence.
It was feared earlier that the police might use tear gas to dispersing the
protestors and prevent them from going to Government House.
The atmosphere in front of the UN offices before the protestors were able
to lay siege to Government House was quite tense as the police tried their
best to prevent the demonstrators from crossing a small bridge in front of
ESCAP.
But their attempts succeeded eventually after protestors separated into
small groups and were joined by members of several state-enterprise labour
unions -- including Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
and Thai Airways International.
Four police officers -- including two women -- were injured after
demonstrators pushed iron barricades, which fell on some of the officers.
Mr. Samak, who also serves as defence minister, earlier pledged to refrain
from using force against the protesters.
He and other cabinet members were not at Government House on Friday.
Government spokesman Wichianchote Sukchotrat said some schools and
government offices near Government House were ordered to close Friday for
safety reasons.
The Thai stock market rose 3.56 percent Friday as the anti-government
rallies remained peaceful, analysts said.
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index soared 26.44 points
to close at 768.90 points, while the bluechip SET 50 index rebounded 21.88
points to close at 550.46. (TNA)
