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Thai police try to end stand-off Thai protesters ordered arrested
(about 11 hours later)
Thai riot police have surrounded the prime minister's compound to try to evict anti-government protesters who took over the building on Tuesday. Thai authorities have issued arrest warrants for nine leaders of a protest in which thousands of demonstrators have occupied a government compound.
But demonstrators are vowing to stay camped in the grounds of the premises until PM Samak Sundaravej steps down. Thai police have surrounded the complex in Bangkok, but the anti-government protesters are refusing to leave.
A court has issued arrest warrants for nine protest leaders on charges of trying to overthrow the government. PM Samak Sundaravej has ordered the police to end the two-day old protest, but has said he will not use force.
The protesters say Mr Samak is a proxy for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006. The protesters say Mr Samak is a proxy for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006.
Mr Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile in London, after leaving Thailand earlier this month to avoid facing a series of corruption charges. name="goback"> Mr Samak, who is currently stationed in military headquarters, has rejected the protesters' calls for his resignation.
Mr Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile in London, after leaving Thailand earlier this month to avoid facing a series of corruption charges. Click here to see a map of key protest areas
Analysts say that Thai society is deeply divided between those who will never trust an administration run by allies of Mr Thaksin, and those - particularly in the countryside - who are his ardent supporters.Analysts say that Thai society is deeply divided between those who will never trust an administration run by allies of Mr Thaksin, and those - particularly in the countryside - who are his ardent supporters.
The army, in particular, is uncomfortable about being caught in the middle of this conflict and, according to the BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Jonathan Head, there may well be similar divided loyalties in the ranks. class="bodl" href="#map">Click here to see a map of key protest areas Defiant protestors
Public sympathy for the protesters - a group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - appears to be waning, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok, but they are still well-funded and enjoy the backing of some very senior military and civilian figures.
The army, in particular, is uncomfortable about being caught in the middle of this conflict, our correspondent adds.
After news of the arrest warrants filtered through to the protesters, their leaders remained defiant.After news of the arrest warrants filtered through to the protesters, their leaders remained defiant.
One of those facing arrest, Somsak Kosaisuk, a union leader from the south of the country, said he would wait for the police to arrive.One of those facing arrest, Somsak Kosaisuk, a union leader from the south of the country, said he would wait for the police to arrive.
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Protesters stand their ground outside the prime minister's compoundProtesters stand their ground outside the prime minister's compound
"If you want to arrest us, come here and arrest us here - it is the government who must go," he said."If you want to arrest us, come here and arrest us here - it is the government who must go," he said.
Earlier on Wednesday hundreds of riot police cut through makeshift barricades and moved into the compound around Government House.Earlier on Wednesday hundreds of riot police cut through makeshift barricades and moved into the compound around Government House.
There were scuffles between the two sides, and a few minor injuries were reported.There were scuffles between the two sides, and a few minor injuries were reported.
But the demonstrations were largely peaceful, with protesters posing for photographs, picnicking and singing.But the demonstrations were largely peaceful, with protesters posing for photographs, picnicking and singing.
Many were clad in yellow as a mark of loyalty to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.Many were clad in yellow as a mark of loyalty to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Mr Samak, who is currently stationed in military headquarters, rejected calls for his resignation and demanded that the protesters leave Government House by the end of the day.
The king was reported to have asked that the protesters be treated gently, and Mr Samak said his approach would be "soft and gentle".
But our correspondent says Thai people's patience with the protesters is wearing thin, despite initial sympathy from much of the media and the royalist elite.
Coup plot claimCoup plot claim
The king was reported to have asked that the protesters be treated gently, and Mr Samak said his approach would be "soft and gentle". Protesters claim that exiled Thaksin remains the power behind the scenes
The prime minister is clearly hoping that if the leaders of the PAD are detained, the movement that has harried his administration with its boisterous protests for the past three months will collapse, says our correspondent.
The demonstrations started on Tuesday, with more than 30,000 people taking to Bangkok's streets.The demonstrations started on Tuesday, with more than 30,000 people taking to Bangkok's streets.
Masked supporters stormed the main studios of the government-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) and at least three government ministries, before converging on Government House.Masked supporters stormed the main studios of the government-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) and at least three government ministries, before converging on Government House.
Mr Samak's government has a clear majority in parliament, and he insists he retains a democratic mandate from last December's election.Mr Samak's government has a clear majority in parliament, and he insists he retains a democratic mandate from last December's election.
But he seems unable to shake off this determined and apparently well-funded anti-Thaksin movement, our correspondent says. The PAD formed three years ago as a movement to bring down Mr Thaksin but, despite its name, is actually campaigning for an end to democracy, our correspondent says.
The unrest is the latest in a series of rallies staged by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) over recent months.
The group formed three years ago as a movement to bring down Mr Thaksin but, despite its name, is actually campaigning for an end to democracy, our correspondent says.
It wants a largely appointed parliament, and a legalised role for the military as a kind of referee in Thai politics, he adds.It wants a largely appointed parliament, and a legalised role for the military as a kind of referee in Thai politics, he adds.
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