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Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM
(30 minutes later)
Pressure is building on Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, amid spiralling protests against his rule.Pressure is building on Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, amid spiralling protests against his rule.
In the latest incident, hundreds of protesters were dispersed by security forces after attacking the police headquarters in Bangkok. Thousands of activists remain holed up in the main government compound for a fourth day, and other protesters tried to attack the police headquarters.
Thousands of activists are still occupying the main government complex in the city. Outside Bangkok, strikes in support of the protests have disrupted travel.
And blockades and strike action have closed airports and disrupted rail services outside the capital. The head of the army dismissed rumours of a coup, but called on the government to negotiate with protesters, which the authorities have so far refused to do.
The head of the army, Gen Anupong Paochinda, has said the military will not mount a coup - but he has called for the government to hold negotiations with protesters. The army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means Gen Anupong Paochinda The army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means Gen Anupong Paochinda
This is something the authorities have so far refused to do. The protests are being led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
The protests are led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
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 spreadProtests spread
A crowd of about 2,000 demonstrators attacked police headquarters in Bangkok late on Friday.A crowd of about 2,000 demonstrators attacked police headquarters in Bangkok late on Friday.
But the crowds were dispersed after police fired what appeared to be teargas. One correspondent reported seeing several protesters vomiting.But the crowds were dispersed after police fired what appeared to be teargas. One correspondent reported seeing several protesters vomiting.
Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off Demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country.Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off Demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country.
Phuket and Krabi airports have closed, and there were reports of blockades at Hat Yai. Reports suggested protesters were planning to mount similar actions at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north.Phuket and Krabi airports have closed, and there were reports of blockades at 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, disrupting services on lines from Bangkok to the country's north-east.Some rail workers have gone on strike in support of the protests and to demand better work conditions, disrupting services on lines from Bangkok to the country's north-east.
And union leaders - including those from flagship airline Thai Airways - have called for workers to join in the stoppage. Strikes at state industries are banned, but unions get around the ban by urging their members to take sick leave.And union leaders - including those from flagship airline Thai Airways - have called for workers to join in the stoppage. Strikes at state industries are banned, but unions get around the ban by urging their members to take sick leave.
Meanwhile, the occupation of the main government complex in Bangkok is now in its fourth day. Protesters say they will not leave until Mr Samak's government resigns.Meanwhile, the occupation of the main government complex in Bangkok is now in its fourth day. 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. But the police suddenly pulled back their forces.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.
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Protesters tussle with police in BangkokProtesters tussle with police in Bangkok
PrecariousPrecarious
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. KEY EVENTS Sept 2006: Bloodless coup by military sees PM Thaksin Shinawatra removed from officeApril 2007: New military-drafted constitution approved in referendumDec 2007: General election won by People Power Party (PPP), seen as reincarnation of Thaksin's now banned party Feb 2008: Samak Sundaravej sworn in as PM. Thaksin returns from exileJuly-Aug 2008: Thaksin goes on trial for corruption; his wife found guilty of fraud; Thaksin and family flee to UKFor three days Gen Anupong has deliberately kept his forces above the fray. KEY EVENTS Sept 2006: Bloodless coup by military sees PM Thaksin Shinawatra removed from officeApril 2007: New military-drafted constitution approved in referendumDec 2007: General election won by People Power Party (PPP), seen as reincarnation of Thaksin's now banned party Feb 2008: Samak Sundaravej sworn in as PM. Thaksin returns from exileJuly-Aug 2008: Thaksin goes on trial for corruption; his wife found guilty of fraud; Thaksin and family flee to UK
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 army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means," he said, according to AP news agency."The army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means," he said, according to AP news agency.
The position of Prime Minister Samak, who had hoped he could tough out these protests, now looks precarious, our correspondent says.The position of Prime Minister Samak, 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 and a state TV station.This crisis began on Tuesday, when thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings and a state TV station.
Nine PAD leaders now face charges of insurrection, a crime that can carry the death penalty, after Tuesday's violent raids.Nine PAD leaders now face charges of insurrection, a crime that can carry the death penalty, after Tuesday's violent raids.
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.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 Mr Thaksin before him.But it has little support in most rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him.
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