People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) core member Sondhi Limthongkul yesterday showed the first signs of a compromise to end the political stand-off.
SPECIAL BANGKOK POST COMMENT
We strongly disagree with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's decision to declare a state of emergency. It is only another vain attempt to survive the political crisis he faces.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
The Supreme Court will rule on whether to seize assets worth about 76 billion baht of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The court's judges yesterday elected nine from among them to form the bench of the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for deciding the case.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Widespread disruption of public services is expected today as state enterprise labour unions have confirmed they will down tools to press for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.Most have promised strikes and the disruption power and water supplies to government offices, despite the declaration of a state of emergency.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) sealed off some of the country's major airports and threatened to seize city halls in the South in a bid to force the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej shortly after the state of emergency was imposed yesterday. About 1,000 PAD supporters closed the roads to the Hat Yai airport yesterday morning. They set up a stage in front of the airport and vowed a protracted siege of the airport.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Media associations, academics and civic and human rights groups have stepped up calls for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign and demanded the state of emergency in Bangkok be lifted. In their joint statement, five media associations described the emergency decree as running counter to the constitution and limiting the rights and liberties of the public.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday assured the public that investigations would be carried out into the cause of the violence between pro- and anti-government protesters, which left one man dead. In a televised news conference at the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters shortly after he declared a state of emergency, Mr Samak said the emergency enforcement committee would be responsible for the investigations.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
Around 200 supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday banded together to guard the ASTV station and Manager newspaper offices on Phra Athit road amid rumours Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was going to take the cable TV channel off the air. The PAD demonstrators walked from the protest ground at Government House in the late morning before separating into two groups.
STATE OF EMERGENCY
The Foreign Ministry yesterday defended the declaration of the state of emergency when it briefed foreign diplomats on the political situation, saying that foreigners in the country had nothing to worry about.
The Election Commission yesterday agreed to recommend the dissolution of the People Power party (PPP) to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG), EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said. Mr Suthiphon said the five election commissioners unanimously approved the recommendation of the sub-panel on the dissolution of the PPP.
The launch of the online digit lottery, scheduled for Sept 17, has been deferred indefinitely, Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit said. He said to avoid future lawsuits, the legal hurdles concerning the contract the Government Lottery Office (GLO) entered into with Loxley-Gtec Technology joint venture concerning sale of digit lottery tickets online and management of the online system were sent to the Council of State for consideration.
BANGKOK GOVERNORSHIP
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will ask the Election Commission (EC) to delay the Bangkok gubernatorial election because of the imposition of a state of emergency in the capital. Mr Samak said at his press conference on the announcement of a state of emergency that the decree would affect campaigning for the city election, which is set for Oct 5.
CITY TRANSPORT
The cabinet yesterday approved the controversial project to lease 4,000 NGV air-conditioned buses to replace old buses at the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). Deputy government spokeswoman Veerinthira Nathongborjarat said the new NGV buses, equipped with e-ticket and GPRS systems, will serve 145 routes in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.
COMMENTARY
"The unpopular prime minister has abruptly resigned in an effort to break a political deadlock..."
COMMENTARY
If Prime Minister Samak cannot shut his mouth, he might as well shut down the House of Representatives.
THAI POLITICS
Thailand has been in the international news headlines extensively this past week because of the PAD's latest attempt to remove an elected government from power. Being resident in London, it has been interesting for me to read the news about Thailand's latest bout of political instability, given Thaksin Shinawatra's exile here.
EDITORIAL
Our worst fears of a violent clash between the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters and government supporters in the guise of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), have been confirmed. In the wee hours of Sept 2, the UDD tried to break through the PAD's security cordon at Makkhawan Rangsan bridge. The ensuing melee resulted in one person being killed and more than 40 others injured. It also led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Bangkok by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
PostBag
The PAD, in desperation, acted illegally but hurt nobody. The government has responded by sending in a bunch of thugs and killing one of the protesters. This is being reported outside Thailand. The world is watching. Let us hope that our glorious leaders will soon see sense and start behaving honourably.
In Media
After more than three months of anti-government street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), how does the public view the current political situation? Does the PAD still command the loyalty of like-minded citizens?
A supporter of the pro-government UDD brandishes a sword in front of Ratchadamnoen boxing stadium as he confronts PAD demonstrators.
