ID :
23163
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 18:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23163
The shortlink copeid
Police fire more tear gas on demonstrators
BANGKOK, Oct 7 (TNA) - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat presented his
government's policy statement at a sparsely-attended Parliament Tuesday as police lobbed fresh rounds of tear gas Tuesday at anti-government demonstrators gathered at Bangkok's Royal Plaza, after tear gas was earlier used to disperse thousands of protesters at the nearby Parliament.
There was no immediate report of casualties, but as clouds of tear gas
drafted by the equestrian statue of the revered monarch King Rama V,
scenes of discord and disorder witnessed the loss of the traditional
harmony
of the setting.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob adjourned the parliamentary session
after the premier delivered his policy statement to Parliament which 164
opposition Democrat MPs and 40 senators boycotted.
Some PAD protesters reportedly locked the gate at the only entrance to the
House, temporarily delaying the legislators' departure.
The prime minister and his entourage later climbed fence to leave the
Parliament compound to convene meeting with military top brass at the
armed forces headquaters.
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.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesperson Dr. Booranuch Samutrak said the
government had lost its legitimacy to deliver the state policy, 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-government 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 Wongsawat took office September 25.
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.
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.
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.
government's policy statement at a sparsely-attended Parliament Tuesday as police lobbed fresh rounds of tear gas Tuesday at anti-government demonstrators gathered at Bangkok's Royal Plaza, after tear gas was earlier used to disperse thousands of protesters at the nearby Parliament.
There was no immediate report of casualties, but as clouds of tear gas
drafted by the equestrian statue of the revered monarch King Rama V,
scenes of discord and disorder witnessed the loss of the traditional
harmony
of the setting.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob adjourned the parliamentary session
after the premier delivered his policy statement to Parliament which 164
opposition Democrat MPs and 40 senators boycotted.
Some PAD protesters reportedly locked the gate at the only entrance to the
House, temporarily delaying the legislators' departure.
The prime minister and his entourage later climbed fence to leave the
Parliament compound to convene meeting with military top brass at the
armed forces headquaters.
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.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party spokesperson Dr. Booranuch Samutrak said the
government had lost its legitimacy to deliver the state policy, 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-government 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 Wongsawat took office September 25.
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.
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.
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.
