ANTI-GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS MARCH IN THAI CAPITAL

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
again
took its five-month long anti-government protests to the capital's business
and tourist districts Monday, as fear gripped over a possible clash with
pro-government supporters in the next two days.

Traffic came to standstill as about 2,000 PAD supporters wearing yellow
T-shirts and carrying posters of their colleagues killed during the Oct 7 clash
with police, as well as government leaders, distributed pamphlets and VCDs
showing scenes of what they claimed was police brutality.

The anti-police march was first held last Friday at the busy Silom business
district.

"Somchai Wongsawat (prime minister) must resign to take responsibility for
the Oct 7 violence. We don't want a government which is killing its own people,"
a PAD leader spoke from a lorry as the demonstrators walked from the Central
World shopping mall to the Lumpini Park.

While there was no untoward incident, authorities are preparing for
possible
violence on Tuesday as both pro and anti-government groups are planning to
gather at the Supreme Court to hear the verdict of the Ratchadaphisek land case
which involves ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and wife
Potjaman.

Both are seeking asylum in Britain, but PAD is claiming that the ruling
People's Power Party (PPP) under Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai is the
ex-premier's proxy.

After starting their street protest on May 25, PAD seized the Government
House on Aug 26, depriving then-prime minister Samak Sundarevej of his office.
His predecessor, Somchai. who took over on Sept 17, is running the country from
a makeshift soffice at the Don Muang Airport.

Despite pressure from PAD and AN open call by the powerful Army Chief
Anupong Paochind for him to resign, Somchai remains defiant. In his support, the
pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) is planning
to gather in the capital Tuesday, a week after about 10,000 supporters met at
a convention centre outskirt of Bangkok.

The situation remains tense as Salang Bunnag, a former deputy police chief,
had announced that he would lead ex-policemen for a prayer session at the Royal
Plaza on Wednesday, and then proceed to Government House to take it by force
from PAD.

Sombat Thamrongtanyawong, president of the National Institute of
Development Administration, told local media that if Thaksin was acquited by the
court, he could return and defend himself in several other cases while PAD had
to accept the court verdict.

But if found guilty, Thaksin cannot return to the country without being
arrested while PAD would gain more and continue its protest, he said.

-- BERNAMA