ID :
23200
Tue, 10/07/2008 - 19:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/23200
The shortlink copeid
Police fire tear gas, flares to release MPs, Senators held at Parliament
BANGKOK, Oct 7 (TNA) - More than 500 police backed up the firing of smoke flares and lobbing of tear gas at anti-government demonstrators
surrounding Thailand's Parliament lateTuesday afternoon in a bid to
provide an exit for members who were 'held' inside the building, detained by the protesters.
Earlier People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) activists had allowed about
300 parliament officials and staff workers, as well as media who were on
hand to cover Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat delivering his government's
policy statement to parliament, to leave the building, but then the PAD
decided that members of parliament and Senators were not allowed to leave
the premises.
Police then opted to fire smoke flare and tear gas at the PAD ranks in an
attempt to open a pathway to release those who were still inside the
building, otherwise unable to leave.
Prime Minister Somchai left Parliament after delivering the government's
policy statement by first climbing over the wall separating Parliament
from the adjacent Vimarkmek Palace, where he flew out by helicopter to a
meeting with the supreme military commander and the army chief at the
Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters on the outskirts of Bangkok.
After the meeting, Mr. Somchai told a press conference briefly that his
government is trying to solve the problem and that the military has a duty
to monitor and oversee the problem.
When asked whether he would resign from his post or dissolve the House,
Mr. Somchai asserted he would not quit his post, a post he has held for
only two weeks.
Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, however, said after a
second round of meetings with his party's executive committee and members
that the ongoing tensions the country is experiencing has resulted from
the government's decisions in dealing with, and mishandling, the
situation.
Mr. Abhisit called for resolving the crisis through parliamentary
channels. He affirmed that the Democrat Party "doesn't support a military
coup", as it believes it is not a way out for the country.
However, Mr. Somchai must take the responsibility for the huge losses
which are being incurred under democratic procedures, either by resigning
or by dissolving the House, Mr. Abhisit advised. (
surrounding Thailand's Parliament lateTuesday afternoon in a bid to
provide an exit for members who were 'held' inside the building, detained by the protesters.
Earlier People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) activists had allowed about
300 parliament officials and staff workers, as well as media who were on
hand to cover Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat delivering his government's
policy statement to parliament, to leave the building, but then the PAD
decided that members of parliament and Senators were not allowed to leave
the premises.
Police then opted to fire smoke flare and tear gas at the PAD ranks in an
attempt to open a pathway to release those who were still inside the
building, otherwise unable to leave.
Prime Minister Somchai left Parliament after delivering the government's
policy statement by first climbing over the wall separating Parliament
from the adjacent Vimarkmek Palace, where he flew out by helicopter to a
meeting with the supreme military commander and the army chief at the
Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters on the outskirts of Bangkok.
After the meeting, Mr. Somchai told a press conference briefly that his
government is trying to solve the problem and that the military has a duty
to monitor and oversee the problem.
When asked whether he would resign from his post or dissolve the House,
Mr. Somchai asserted he would not quit his post, a post he has held for
only two weeks.
Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, however, said after a
second round of meetings with his party's executive committee and members
that the ongoing tensions the country is experiencing has resulted from
the government's decisions in dealing with, and mishandling, the
situation.
Mr. Abhisit called for resolving the crisis through parliamentary
channels. He affirmed that the Democrat Party "doesn't support a military
coup", as it believes it is not a way out for the country.
However, Mr. Somchai must take the responsibility for the huge losses
which are being incurred under democratic procedures, either by resigning
or by dissolving the House, Mr. Abhisit advised. (
