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| Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM | Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM |
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| Pressure is building on Thai PM Samak Sundaravej, as protests against his rule spread from the capital Bangkok. | Pressure is building on Thai PM Samak Sundaravej, as protests against his rule spread from the capital Bangkok. |
| Protesters are blocking major airports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Some strikes have also been called in support of the protests. | Protesters are blocking major airports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Some strikes have also been called in support of the protests. |
| In Bangkok, police have pulled back from the compound where the main protests are being held, following scuffles earlier in the day. | In Bangkok, police have pulled back from the compound where the main protests are being held, following scuffles earlier in the day. |
| The head of the Thai army has said the military will not mount a coup. | The head of the Thai army has said the military will not mount a coup. |
| But Gen Anupong Paochinda did call for the government to hold negotiations with protesters - something it has so far refused to do. | But Gen Anupong Paochinda did call for the government to hold negotiations with protesters - something it has so far refused to do. |
| The military is the decisive force in this confrontation, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok - and it looks as though it may now begin to intervene in the paralysing dispute. | The military is the decisive force in this confrontation, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok - and it looks as though it may now begin to intervene in the paralysing dispute. |
| The protests are led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy. | The protests are led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Protests spread | Protests spread |
| The occupation of the main government complex in Bangkok is now in its fourth day. Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off Protesters say they will not leave until Mr Samak's government resigns. | The occupation of the main government complex in Bangkok is now in its fourth day. Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off Protesters say they will not leave until Mr Samak's government resigns. |
| There were minor clashes earlier on Friday after police tried to serve a court order for their eviction. | There were minor clashes earlier on Friday after police tried to serve a court order for their eviction. |
| But the police suddenly pulled back their forces. | But the police suddenly pulled back their forces. |
| As well as the thousands of protesters in Bangkok, demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country. | As well as the thousands of protesters in Bangkok, demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country. |
| Phuket airport has closed, and there were reports of blockades at Krabi and Hat Yai. Reports suggested protesters were planning to mount similar actions at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north. | Phuket airport has closed, and there were reports of blockades at Krabi and Hat Yai. Reports suggested protesters were planning to mount similar actions at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north. |
| Some rail workers have gone on strike in support of the protests and to demand better work conditions. | Some rail workers have gone on strike in support of the protests and to demand better work conditions. |
| Service has been disrupted on lines from Bangkok to the country's north-east, stranding thousands of passengers. | Service has been disrupted on lines from Bangkok to the country's north-east, stranding thousands of passengers. |
| And union leaders - reportedly including that of flagship airline Thai Airways - have called for workers to join in. Strikes at state industries are banned, but unions get around the ban by urging their members to take sick leave. | And union leaders - reportedly including that of flagship airline Thai Airways - have called for workers to join in. Strikes at state industries are banned, but unions get around the ban by urging their members to take sick leave. |
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| Protesters tussle with police in Bangkok | Protesters tussle with police in Bangkok |
| Precarious | Precarious |
| Rumours of an impending coup have been circulating in Thailand throughout the week, our correspondent says. | Rumours of an impending coup have been circulating in Thailand throughout the week, our correspondent says. |
| For three days Gen Anupong has deliberately kept his forces above the fray. | For three days Gen Anupong has deliberately kept his forces above the fray. |
| But on Friday he decided to step in - insisting the military would not mount a coup, but also calling on the government to negotiate with protesters. | But on Friday he decided to step in - insisting the military would not mount a coup, but also calling on the government to negotiate with protesters. |
| The position of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who had hoped he could tough out these protests, now looks precarious, our correspondent says. | The position of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who had hoped he could tough out these protests, now looks precarious, our correspondent says. |
| This crisis began on Tuesday, when thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings. | This crisis began on Tuesday, when thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings. |
| The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation - and it has re-emerged now that the country is being led by his former ally Mr Samak. | The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation - and it has re-emerged now that the country is being led by his former ally Mr Samak. |
| It has a passionate following in parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite, our correspondent says. | |
| But it has little support in most rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Thaksin Shinawatra before him. | |
| 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. |
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