Thai PM delivering government's policy statement at Parliament

BANGKOK, Oct 7 (TNA) - Embattled Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat began delivering his government's policy statement in Parliament Tuesday morning after demonstrators and sympathisers earlier tried to cut off electricity at the facility during demonstrations attempting to stop him.

Police used tear gas and physical force to clear the way for Parliament to
sit and the prime minister to speak.

The use of force, however restrained, brought reaction from the opposition
Democrat Party, which announced a boycott of the parliamentary session,
and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit donated funds for medical treatment of the
injured.

Pol. Maj-Gen. Amnuay Nimmano, Metropolitan police chief, said the police
had to use tear gas to control the situation, but affirmed that the police
only used tear gas without rubber bullets or broken glass.

Newly re-elected Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin visited the the
injured in hospital.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesman Dr. Booranuch Samutrak said the
government had lost its legitimacy to deliver its policy statement, saying
that the morning clash between police and protesters was against the
government's promise which vowed to solve the political turmoil through
peaceful means.

At about 6am, police used tear gas to disperse anti-goverment protesters
rallying at Parliament after the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
marched to Parliament on Monday night, extending its rally from Government
House, and vowing to stop the government from delivering its policy
statement.

Prime Minister Somchai, who took office on September 25, was scheduled to
deliver his government's policy statement to lawmakers on Tuesday and
Wednesday.

Unarmed, but heavily-protected with helmets, face masks and shields,
hundreds of police moved through the barricades erected by the PAD
activists overnight.

Some 100 rounds of tear gas were fired into the ranks of the PAD
demonstrators shortly after dawn, and the massed police formations moved
across the site.

At least 69 people were injured in the fray, including one man who
reportedly lost his leg due to an exploding tear gas canister.

Meanwhile, PAD core leaders called on its supporters in provinces to join
the protest at Government House while telling their supporters to stay
clam inside the Government House compound where they have been occupying
since late August.

PAD core leader Sondhi Limthongkul told demonstrators at Government House
that the rally at Parliament would be their "final battle" and would not
back off.

He also called for donations of water and medicines, particularly eye
drops, to treat protesters who suffered from tear gas. (TNA)