This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7583375.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Thai police try to end standoff | Thai police try to end standoff |
| (about 2 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 riot police have surrounded the prime minister's compound, to try to evict anti-government protesters who took over the building on Tuesday. |
| But demonstrators are vowing to stay camped in the grounds of the premises until PM Samak Sundaravej steps down. | But demonstrators are vowing to stay camped in the grounds of the premises until PM Samak Sundaravej steps down. |
| A court in Bangkok has issued arrest warrants for nine of the organisers of the rallies on charges of treason. | |
| 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 in 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Relaxed atmosphere | Relaxed atmosphere |
| Hundreds of riot police cut through makeshift barricades and moved into the compound around Government House during the early hours of Wednesday, clashing with crowds. | Hundreds of riot police cut through makeshift barricades and moved into the compound around Government House during the early hours of Wednesday, clashing with crowds. |
| There were scuffles between the two sides, and a few minor injuries were reported.Advertisement | |
| The scene overnight in Bangkok as riot police battled to control protesters | The scene overnight in Bangkok as riot police battled to control protesters |
| However the police have so far been unable to remove the protesters, and now seem to be watching the ongoing rally from the sidelines. | However the police have so far been unable to remove the protesters, and now seem to be watching the ongoing rally from the sidelines. |
| The demonstrators - from the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy - appeared to be in a jubilant and relaxed mood, posing for photographs, picnicking and singing. | |
| Many were clad in yellow as a mark of loyalty to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. | |
| Click here to see a map of key protest areas | Click here to see a map of key protest areas |
| The protesters have made it clear they do not intend to leave the compound any time soon. | The protesters have made it clear they do not intend to leave the compound any time soon. |
| "If we leave before this government resigns, that means we are defeated," Chamlong Srimuang, one of the protest leaders, told the crowd. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7581951.stm">In pictures: Thailand protest | |
| Mr Samak, who is currently stationed in military headquarters, had demanded that they leave by the end of the day. | |
| Mr Samak said on Tuesday that his approach would be "soft and gentle," adding that police would simply surround the area until everyone had gone. | |
| "They [the protesters] want bloodshed in the country, they want the military to come out and stage a coup again," Mr Samak told a press conference. | "They [the protesters] want bloodshed in the country, they want the military to come out and stage a coup again," Mr Samak told a press conference. |
| "I will not resign, I will stay to protect this country," he added. | "I will not resign, I will stay to protect this country," he added. |
| Coup plot claim | Coup plot claim |
| 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 adds. | But he seems unable to shake off this determined and apparently well-funded anti-Thaksin movement, our correspondent adds. |
| The unrest is the latest in a series of rallies staged by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) over recent months. | 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. | 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. |
| Click to return | Click to return |
| Have you witnessed the protests? Are you taking part? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. | Have you witnessed the protests? Are you taking part? What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |