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Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM
(40 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.
Thousands of activists remain holed up in the main government compound for a fourth day, and other protesters tried to attack the police headquarters. Activists who had been holed up in the main government complex for almost four days spilled out to surround the police headquarters before being dispersed.
Outside Bangkok, strikes in support of the protests have disrupted travel.Outside Bangkok, strikes in support of the protests have disrupted travel.
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 dismissed rumours of a coup, but called on the government to negotiate with protesters, which the authorities have so far refused to do.
The army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means Gen Anupong PaochindaThe army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means Gen Anupong Paochinda
The protests are being led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).The protests are being 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.
According to the BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Jonathan Head, the position of Mr Samak, who had hoped he could tough out these protests, now looks precarious.
Protests spreadProtests spread
A crowd of about 2,000 demonstrators attacked police headquarters in Bangkok late on Friday. In a matter of hours, the tables have turned against Thailand's embattled prime minister, our correspondent says.
But the crowds were dispersed after police fired what appeared to be teargas. One correspondent reported seeing several protesters vomiting. Earlier this week Mr Samak was praised for his restraint in dealing with the PAD, which has been occupying his office compound since Tuesday.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Bangkok protests class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584369.stm">Rifts behind the political crisis class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7585889.stm">In pictures: Thai stand-off Demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country. But he suddenly found his position weakened late on Friday when the police pulled back and the triumphant protest leaders were left in control of the complex.
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. name="goback"> class="bodl" href="#map">See a map of key protest areas in Bangkok
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. About 2,000 of them then besieged the city's police headquarters.
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. Police fired what appeared to be teargas on the crowds, and they dispersed shortly afterwards. One correspondent reported seeing several protesters vomiting.
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. Demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country.
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. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Bangkok protests class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584369.stm">Rifts behind the political crisis class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7585889.stm">In pictures: Thai stand-off Phuket and Krabi airports have closed, and there were reports of blockades in Hat Yai. Reports suggested protesters were planning to mount similar actions at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north.
Advertisement 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.
Protesters tussle with police in Bangkok And union leaders - including those from flagship airline Thai Airways - have called for workers to join in the stoppage.
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 UK KEY EVENTS Sept 2006: Bloodless coup by military sees PM Thaksin Shinawatra removed from officeApril 2007: New military-drafted constitution approvedDec 2007: General election won by People Power Party (PPP), seen as reincarnation of Thaksin's now banned Thai Rak Thai party Jan 2008: Samak Sundaravej chosen as PM Feb 2008: Thaksin returns from exileMay 2008: PAD protests against Samak beginJuly 2008: Thaksin goes on trial for corruption; his wife is found guilty of fraud. By mid-August the family has fled to the UKAugust 2008: PAD protests escalate
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. For three days Gen Anupong has deliberately kept his forces above the fray.
But on Friday he decided it was time 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 military's involvement is an indication of the seriousness of the current situation - and correspondents say that some senior military officers are believed to be pressing the prime minister to offer his resignation.
Anti-Thaksin
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 for these actions, a crime that could potentially carry the death penalty.
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. 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 various 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 of rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him.
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