[Tlc] T-protests

[justinm at ucr.edu]

Forwarded from Dr. Bonnie Brereton.
Thank you,
justin

Anti-govt protests spread to provinces
By The Nation
 
The People's Alliance for Democracy's calls for a nationwide uprising has triggered raillies at southern airports and disrputed train services. A university radio station was seized and large numbers of people were believed to be heading to Government House.


Protests have been staged at the Hat Yai and Phuket airports, causing inconvenience to travellers but there were no reports yet of flight cancellation. This added to the PAD-engineered railway strike which involved work stoppage by 240 workers and cancelled 35 train routes as of Friday.

THAI union leaders have encouraged the national airline workers to "take leave" in support of the PAD. The movement's sympathisers in Trat, Trang and Kanchanaburi were said to be planning to travel to Bangkok to join the Government House protest.

State enterprises' worker associations, who are the PAD's key allies, were also discussing more measures to increase pressure on the government. The measures could involve electricity and water works employees. 

Emails were circulated yesterday apologising the public for "inconvenience" caused by PAD's moves.

The Manager's website reported that hundreds of students at the Prince of Songkhla University have "taken over" the university's radio station (FM 88 MHZ) and use it to relay broadcast from anti-government ASTV.

Opposition and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and 10 senators visited anti-government protesters on Friday afternoon and made a strong plea for both the government and its political rivals to refrain from voilence.

The protesters have retaken full control of Government House, driving out police who had penetrated parts of the compound earlier Friday.

Skirmishes at Government House entrances and bigger scuffles at the nearby Makkawan Bridge left some protesters injured. Abhisit said he visited protesters at the Makkawan Bridge because he was concerned by reports of the clashes.

He called on Parliament to convene an urgent session to address the growing political crisis.

Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul led other 9 senators to visit the protesters at Government House.

The Senate earlier on Friday interrupted its normal session and went into an urgent debate after police's clashes with anti-government protesters brought political tension to new heights.

ASTV, the cable TV station belonging to the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy, repeatedly replayed incidents at the Makkawan Bridge. Footages of scuffles and some protesters being assaulted, as well as blood-stained clothes were shown to home audience as protest leaders encamping inside Government House urged more people to join their protest.

ASTV repleatedly ran traffic advices on how to get to Government House. 

Tension, which decreased on Thursday after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed a non-violent approach, rose again Friday. PAD sympathisers were making phone calls to friends, colleagues and relatives, some discussing plans to join the Government House sit-in.  

There have been no reports of serious injuries from the Makkawan Bridge incidents. Nonetheless, what happened there was thought to be backfiring against the government as the PAD sought to bounce back from a major set-back to its image.

On Tuesday, PAD hardline members stormed the government-owned NBT station, briefly controlling it and terrifying news staffs. The invaders left the facility at last but the incident was a major blow to the movement's reputation.

The circulating emails said the PAD regretted the incident. They also said the protesters didn't mean to harm anyone. "We are fighting on your behalf and we are sorry for any inconvenience," the emails said. 

The Senate cut short its routine session earlier on Friday and started a debate on the political tension. Many senators called for their colleagues to travel to the protest site in order to ensure there was no violence erupted.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is consulting with Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet to convent a House-Senate session to debate the issue.

Policemen in full riot gears moved into the back of Government House in the morning to post the eviction order and removed protesters on the grounds. They also cleared the protest site at Makawan Rangsan Bridge which the People's Alliance for Democracy vacated earlier in the morning to move to Government House.

Police seemed to gain control of the bridge, Rajadamnoen Nok Avenue and the Mitsakawan intersection.

The PAD-led rally on the lawn in front of the Thai Khu Fah Building at the frontal of Government House continued Friday without interruption.

The Nation 


______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
3046 INTN
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu