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Police clash with Thai protesters Police clash with Thai protesters
(about 2 hours later)
Scuffles have broken out in the Thai capital, Bangkok, between police and protesters occupying the main government buildings.Scuffles have broken out in the Thai capital, Bangkok, between police and protesters occupying the main government buildings.
Minor clashes broke out after police tried to serve a court order for the eviction of the demonstrators. The minor clashes broke out after police tried to serve a court order for the eviction of the demonstrators.
But police have not actually tried to evict the protesters, and the four-day-old stalemate continues.But police have not actually tried to evict the protesters, and the four-day-old stalemate continues.
The protesters say they will not leave until the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigns.The protesters say they will not leave until the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigns.
They say Mr Samak is a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and is now in exile despite facing trial over corruption charges. They say Mr Samak is a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and is now in exile to avoid facing trial over corruption charges.
The demonstrations have been organised by a group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - formed three years ago as a movement to bring down Mr Thaksin. The demonstrations have been organised by a group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - formed three years ago as a movement to force Mr Thaksin out of office.
Earlier, riot police were pulled back from the compound around Government House, where they have been surrounding the occupying protesters since Tuesday. Stalemate
Prime Minister Sawak has said he will not use violent means to drive out the protesters. More than 30,000 people joined the initial protests on Tuesday, and several thousand are still barricaded in Government House.
Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off For a fourth day, despite increasingly insanitary conditions, the PAD supporters remain in the compound, seated on plastic sheeting, clapping and cheering speeches by the group's leaders.
More than 30,000 people joined the initial protests on Tuesday and several thousand remain barricaded in Government House. Police armed with batons and shields went into the compound early on Friday to post the court order on lamp posts and gates. Witnesses said teargas was fired but police denied it.
Mr Samak has repeatedly changed his approach to the protesters - prevaricating between advocating a "softly, softly" approach and vowing to take a harder line. The police briefly detained at least 15 people and took up positions around the area, but they did not take any further action.
In his latest comments, he said he had the weight of the law on his side, but wanted to avoid bloodshed. "We are trying to deal with the protesters as gently as possible. We are persuading them to leave the compound and will not do anything to those who follow the court order," police spokesman Surapol Thuanthong told reporters.
Many protesters are armed with makeshift weapons including golf clubs and bamboo sticks, and some have formed a human chain around the group's top leaders as well as barricades around the site. Mr Samak has vowed not to use violence against the demonstrators, and has won praise for his restraint in the local press.
Many protesters are armed with makeshift weapons, including golf clubs and bamboo sticks, and some have formed a human chain around the group's top leaders as well as barricades around the site.
The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation.
It has re-emerged now that the country is being led by his former ally Mr Samak.
The PAD also objects to Mr Samak's plans to amend the constitution.
Mr Samak has vowed not to bow to the PAD demands for his resignation. He points out he was legitimately elected last December, and correspondents say he remains popular with Thailand's rural majority.Mr Samak has vowed not to bow to the PAD demands for his resignation. He points out he was legitimately elected last December, and correspondents say he remains popular with Thailand's rural majority.
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.
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