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Bangkok under state of emergency Bangkok under state of emergency
(about 3 hours later)
Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok, after clashes left at least one person dead.Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok, after clashes left at least one person dead.
Dozens more were hurt in the fighting early on Tuesday.Dozens more were hurt in the fighting early on Tuesday.
The clashes began after supporters of Mr Samak pushed through police lines near Government House, occupied by the People's Alliance for Democracy. The sweeping powers ban public gatherings and introduce media restrictions.
Mr Samak said he had "no choice" but to impose the rule in order to end the week-old revolt by supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy.
PAD supporters say the government is a front for the exiled former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.PAD supporters say the government is a front for the exiled former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Separately, in a fresh blow to the government, the Thai election commission recommended that Mr Samak's People Power Party be disbanded over claims of vote-buying in elections last December.
The recommendation will result in no immediate action against the party, as it must now be considered by the public prosecutor's office, but correspondents say it piles further pressure on Mr Samak's government.
Shots fired
The street clashes began shortly after midnight, when a screaming crowd of government supporters - armed with sticks and slingshots - ploughed into a group from the PAD, who have been occupying the prime minister's office, reports the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
See a map of key protest areas in Bangkok
Amid the ensuing fighting, some gunshots were fired - both sides are now reported to possess some firearms.
One person died, and TV pictures showed some of the at least 43 people injured lying bleeding on the ground.
For much of the time, police officers simply stood on the sidelines, our correspondent says. But by daybreak, the situation was reportedly calmer, with unarmed troops trying to keep the two sides separate.
Thai PM Samak Sundaravej on Bangkok's state of emergency
The prime minister said that emergency rule would not last long.The prime minister said that emergency rule would not last long.
"No one has the right to do such a thing as they have done," said Mr Samak, in a televised press conference. "No-one has the right to do such a thing as they have done," said Mr Samak, in a televised news conference.
"I had no other choice but to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok in order to solve the problem for once and for all."I had no other choice but to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok in order to solve the problem for once and for all.
Thai PM Samak Sundaravej on Bangkok's state of emergency
"The military and police will carry out the implementation.""The military and police will carry out the implementation."
Mr Samak put the army commander, General Anupong Paojinda, in charge of enforcing the state of emergency in the capital. The general now has special powers to: Mr Samak put the army commander, General Anupong Paojinda, in charge of enforcing the state of emergency in the capital. The general now has special powers to:
    class="bulletList">
  • detain and remove people from any location
  • deploy troops to help police maintain order
  • ban gatherings of more than five people
  • impose restrictions on media reports that could "undermine public security".
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South Korea and Singapore have advised their citizens against any non-essential travel to Thailand.
  • detain and remove people from any location
  • deploy troops to help police maintain order
  • ban gatherings of more than five people
  • impose restrictions on media reports that could "undermine public security".
    • South Korea and Singapore have advised their citizens against any non-essential travel to Thailand.
    The PAD leader said protesters occupying the government's building had refused to move, despite the state of emergency.The PAD leader said protesters occupying the government's building had refused to move, despite the state of emergency.
    "There are not enough jails to put us all into," Chamlong Srimuang told thousands of PAD demonstrators."There are not enough jails to put us all into," Chamlong Srimuang told thousands of PAD demonstrators.
    name="goback"> Our correspondent says that despite the new powers formally granted to the army to crush the PAD campaign, it is not yet clear how the army will use those powers in the highly charged atmosphere.
    An emergency debate in parliament earlier failed to end the stalemate between Mr Samak's fragile coalition and his opponents. Until now, the army has tried to maintain a posture of neutrality - and there may be some support for PAD within the army and other parts of the Thai elite.
    class="bodl" href="#map">See a map of key protest areas in Bangkok Strikes called class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7593147.stm">In pictures: Bangkok clashes class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Bangkok protests
    Troops deployed This crisis began exactly a week ago when thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings.
    Overnight, thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings. Mr Samak was initially praised for his restraint in dealing with the protests, but he suddenly found his hand weakened on Friday when the police pulled back and the triumphant protest leaders were left in control of the government complex.
    class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Bangkok protests class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7593147.stm">In pictures: Bangkok clashes Protesters have also shut down airports and rail services. Public sector unions said they would begin a nationwide strike at 43 state enterprises on Wednesday unless the prime minister stepped down.
    Mr Samak was initially praised for his restraint in dealing with the protests, but he suddenly found his position weakened on Friday when the police pulled back and the triumphant protest leaders were left in control of the government complex.
    The demonstrations in the capital remained relatively peaceful over the weekend, but early on Tuesday violent clashes broke out when hundreds of government supporters marched towards Government House, armed with sticks and clubs.
    TV pictures showed a man lying motionless on the ground with a pool of blood around his head as well as dozens of injured afterwards.
    Dr Petchpong Kamjornkijjakarn of the Erawan Medical Centre said one person had died from severe head injuries and that four others were in a serious condition, two of whom had gunshot wounds.
    At least 31 others are being treated for injuries across the city.
    On Monday, public sector unions said they would begin a nationwide strike at 43 state enterprises on Wednesday unless the prime minister stepped down.
    The State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation also threatened to cut off water, electricity and phone service at government offices and disrupt flights.The State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation also threatened to cut off water, electricity and phone service at government offices and disrupt flights.
    The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says there appear to be very few ways out of this crisis.
    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 escalateKEY 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
    The government retains strong rural support and would probably be re-elected if fresh polls were called - and the PAD does not support such elections, our correspondent says. Our correspondent says there appear to be very few ways out of this crisis, with the country so harshly divided.
    Meanwhile, the revered King Bhumibol has also refused to intervene. Meanwhile, the government now faces fresh troubles in the form of the election commission recommendation that the ruling party be disbanded.
    The PAD - a loose grouping of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class - was formed in the months before Mr Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006. He has since fled the country to avoid facing trial over corruption charges. Reports said the call stemmed from the conviction of the ruling party's deputy leader Yongyut Tiyapairat for vote-buying during last December's elections.
    It has a passionate following in various parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite. The case will now go to the public prosecutor's office, which will decide whether to submit the case to the Constitutional Court for a final ruling.
    But it has little support in most of rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him. Mr Samak and other top party leaders would be banned from politics for five years if the ruling is upheld - though such a process would likely take months.
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