Protesters clash with airport security as PM arrives in Surat Thani

SURAT THANI, Sept 27 (TNA) -- People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
protesters here clashed with airport security shortly after the arrival of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on Saturday.

The incident took place after Mr. Somchai, appointed prime minister on
September 18 and his party were leaving the airport and confronted a
group of PAD protesters.

Minor clashes between security personnel and the PAD took place but no
casualties were reported.

Mr. Somchai is making a day-visit to his hometown in Nakhon Si Thammarat
province, near Surat Thani.

The PAD protesters had earlier threatened to close airports in the region
in civil obedience against Mr. Somchai, a brother-in-law of ousted,
fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now seeking political
asylum in Britain.

Mr. Somchai told journalists at Bangkok's Don Mueang airport before
leaving for Surat Thani that a proposal
made jointly by 24 rectors of state and privately-run universities
following their meeting Thursday asking him to promote political reform by
establishing an independent four-point Reform Commission was "interesting"
but he preferred not speak much on politics at present.

He said opinions on resolving local political turmoil could be discussed
without a problem but the country must
adhere to the democratic system having the king as the pillar. (