Opposition to file suit against PM for street carnage at Parliament

BANGKOK, Oct 8 (TNA) -- Charging the Thai government of using unnecessary
violence in suppressing chaos in the streets of Bangkok on Tuesday which
saw at least two people killed and more than 400 injured, lawyers of the
opposition Democrat Party on Wednesday said they plan to file a criminal
lawsuit against Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, according to a party
spokesman.

Spokesman Sathit Wongnongtoey said the decision to file the lawsuit
against Mr. Somchai, who also chose to name himself defence minister, was
made following a meeting attended by senior Democrat Party members earlier
in the day.

Criticising the government of trying to twist the facts surrounding
Tuesday's violence in which police fired tear gas to quell protesters of
the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who were
protesting at Parliament, Bangkok Metropolitan Police headquarters and at
several other sites, Mr. Sathit said the clashes were not caused by the
protesters but from police who received orders to respond with force.

As Mr. Somchai also supervises the Royal Thai Police, he must take
responsibility, according to Mr. Sathit.

Another factor which showed that the government was inclined to use
violence to suppress the demonstration, which only some described as
chaos, was seen after the prime minister appointed a person with an
aggressive personality, Nattawut Saikuea, as the government spokesman, Mr.
Sathit said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Somchai visited injured police personnel and
protesters who were receiving treatment at Police Hospital. A total of 73
injured persons have been admitted there.

Mr. Somchai said his government would find ways to negotiate with PAD core
leaders in a bid to end the political stalemate in the country.

The PAD has been demonstrating against the government since May 25
demanding the ouster of the coalition administration which it charged
being a proxy of ousted, fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.