Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters In Front Of Parliament

[george]

Urgent: Police fire tear gas at protesters in front of Parliament

BANGKOK: -- Police fire dozens of tear gases at protesters, who staged a blockade outside Parliament at 6:20 am.

The firing of tear gases managed to open an access to Parliament at the gate on Phichai Road.

Leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy urged the protesters to remain protesting there.

-- The Nation 2008-10-07

[george]

PAD siege broken

BANGKOK: -- Riot police launched a surprise tear-gas raid Tuesday morning to break up a siege and tear down barricades at parliament erected up overnight by supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The PAD protesters retreated as unarmed police with shields and face masks moved through the barbed-wire barricades and tore them down.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat ordered police to clear the way into parliament for the scheduled policy debate on Tuesday morning. He had called an urgent cabinet meeting late Monday night after PAD human shields ringed parliament to prevent the meeting.

Several people were carried from the protest by fellow demonstrators after the short tear-gas attack, but it was not clear if there were any casualties when police moved in to clear the human blockade of parliament.

Hundreds of police massed in riot formation marched up to parliament shortly after sunrise at 6am. Officers armed with grenade launchers immediately began firing tear gas cannisters at the barricades.

Most of the gas grenades burst in piles of tyres placed by the demonstrators as part of their barricade. With the CS gas still heavy in the air and wafting over the area, police moved in to tear down the steel gates and barbed wire that had been strung by the PAD.

Most of the policemen had no protection against the gas, and covered their faces with handkerchiefs. The PAD crowds pulled back from the area as police moved in to open roads and remove the protesters' barricades.

PAD supporters screamed at police through the loudspeaker system as officers moved in, but the actual PAD core leaders were not seen. PAD founder and leader Sondhi Limthongkul could be heard deploring the "police attack on children in our midst" but he also did not come to the foreground of the action.

-- TNA, Bangkok Post 2008-10-07

[george]

Police break up Parliament's blockade with tear gases

Dozens of protesters injured; one lost leg, one reporter injured

BANGKOK: -- Police fire dozens of tear gases at protesters, who staged a blockade outside Parliament at 6:20 am, injuring dozens of demonstrators.

A protester lost his leg during the disperse and one reporter was injured.

The firing of tear gases managed to open an access to Parliament at the gate on Phichai Road.

Leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy urged the protesters to remain protesting there.

Police took about 20 minutes to break open the blockade at the gate on Phichai Road.

TV scenes showed police in gas protecting masks pushing protesters back from the gate.

Many protesters were seen washing their face with water and many injured protesters were seen carried away by their peers.

The PAD leaders inside Government House urged the protesters there to move reinforce the protesters at Parliament.

Pipop Thongchai, a PAD leader, condemned police's use of force against the protesters.

-- The Nation 2008-10-07

[h90]

From TOC

Senators Boycott Policy Declaration

UPDATE : 7 October 2008

A group of senators have announced that they will boycott today's policy declaration by the government at Parliament and will not attend the session to show their opposition against the police's crackdown on the PAD protestors.

The opposition Democrat Party remains undecided on its stance whether to join today's policy declaration House session.

Today's session is scheduled for 9.30 am while the government and opposition whips will meet at 8.30 am in preparation for the session.

MPs and senators have been notified via sms about the route they should take to Parliament to avoid the PAD protest.

[Loaded]

Just watched the images on TV.

A very disorganised police effort but the tear gas seemed to do the job. A lot of gas was used. Maybe without Chamlong to coordinate the counter attack of the PAD the authorities are confident they can clear the area. Won't take much to outwit the Thai police though. We'll have to wait a little longer to see what PAD do.

[Plus]

I think Dems will boycott today's meeting.

Only one entrance was cleared, reportedly. Once PAD reenforcements arrive, it might be blocked again. I don't see them backing off the Parliament at the moment.

[george]

Some 20 protesters treated at Vachira Hospital

BANGKOK: -- Channel 3 reported Tuesday morning that some 20 protesters were being treated at the Vachira Hospital following police's use of tear gases to disperse their protest at Parliament.

Some 2,000 protesters remain on Uthong Nai Road

Following the use of tear gases to disperse protesters, some 2,000 demonstrators remained protesting on the Uthong Nai Road at 7:28 am Tuesday.

Police secure one entrance to the Parliament on the Phichai Road and some policemen were stationed inside the Parliament compound.

-- The Nation 2008-10-07

[WAERTH]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

[h90]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

Not a surprise isn't, or?

Or do you think he want corrupt politic (himself) get punished??

[george]

PPP spokesman says policy debate to be held at Parliament as scheduled

BANGKOK: -- People Power Party deputy spokesman Boonjong Wongtrairat said the government policy debate will be held at Parliament as scheduled despite the violent disperse of protesters there.

He said Parliament President Chai Chidchob had not informed MPs of the change of venue for the debate yet.

-- The Nation 2008-10-07

[Loaded]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

His missus wears the trousers in his government

[h90]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

His missus wears the trousers in his government

Or an influential person in London (but don't know if it makes any difference).

[animatic]

I think PAD is over reaching,

but I can understand their being MORE than a little upset.

No coincidense that Chamlong was arrested on the eve of

the policy speech meeting, a prefect time to make PAD mad as hel_l.

And or Chamlong decided to get out before it went down counter to

his wihes, but that is PURELY speculation. What is clear is that Thaksin

hardliners are controling the police at the moment.

Another power shift at the moment?

Another clear thing, if the PPP, about to be banned, is going to try and

redo the constitution there will be madness going on to stop them.

Without the eminent PPP Party dissolution suspending like Damocles sword,

there might be less intention to stop them, but too many feel they have

no legitimacy to rewrite the constitution during their limited month or two

of future existence. The dissolution is pretty much a foregone conclusion.

If a retro-active Thaksin and/or PPP saving amendment sees the light of day,

The streets WILL go mad. Regardless of legalistic issues, PPP is playing with fire.

It shows THEIR desperation as much as Thaksin's and PAD's to stop them.

If they try to continue to stop the street with force, to back up saving their OWN ASSES.

it will go very very bad. Graft the people would accept up to a point, stupidity of decisions,

they seem to except as S.O.P., but width, depth and breadth of PAD support is showing

that the limits of what they will tolerate is very, very close to the edge right now.

PPP is playing with fire, and not just from PAD, this is only the spearhead.

May you live in interesting times, Somchai...

Don't listen to the man behind the curtain,

he may be family, but he ain't your friend.

[Bryan in Isaan]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

What kind of person he is??? He was unblocking the parliament building.

The PAD should not have been blocking it. Tear gas is the only language they understand.

Am I missing something here?

[sriracha john]

Anti-government protesters flee from tear gas smoke in front of parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. Police fired tear gas Tuesday at several thousand demonstrators attempting to block access by lawmakers to the Parliament building in the Thai capital.

Associated Press

[sriracha john]

One man appeared to have been hit by a tear-gas grenade as he he ran, breaking or tearing off part of his leg. Several people were carried from the protest by fellow demonstrators after the short tear-gas attack.

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat ordered police to clear the way into parliament

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=131152

[animatic]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

His missus wears the trousers in his government

Or an influential person in London (but don't know if it makes any difference).

Remember Thaksin spent years attempting to stack the Police and Army decks

with HIS friends. The army list reshuffle just went into effect this week too.

Maybe the calculation is he controls them enough to move now.

I don't think PM.Somchai is in nearly as much control as some credit him with.

This sounds like another round of Thaksin's version of the end game.

Clear out desenting voices, then do the constitution tricks to regain power,

cancel the 2nd string's impending dissolution and retroactively forgive the 1st string's,

then neuter the courts a bit. Daddy war bucks can come home and run the shooting match.

Of course a conflagration in Bangkok will nicely back up his asylum claims too.

But he is shooting FAR beyond that only.

Edited October 7, 2008 by animatic

[sriracha john]

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat ordered police to clear the way into parliament

The Party Leader of the People Power Party orders the police... but People Power Party denies involvement???

PPP Denies Involvement in Police's Crackdown on Protestors

The ruling People Power Party insists the government's policy declaration must go ahead as planned today. It also denies involvement in the police's crackdown on the PAD protest at Parliament at dawn this morning.

TOC / 1 minute ago

[Bryan in Isaan]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

His missus wears the trousers in his government

Or an influential person in London (but don't know if it makes any difference).

Remember Thaksin spent years attempting to stack the Olice and Army Deck

with HIS friends.

The army list reshuffle just went into effect this week too.

Maybe the calculation is he controls them enough to move now.

I don't think PM.Somchai is in nearly as much control as some credit him with.

This sounds like another round of Thaksin's version of the end game.

Clear out desenting voices, then d the constitution tricks to regain power,

cancel the 2nd strings impending dissolution and retroactively forgive the 1st strings,

then neuter the courts a bit. Daddy war bucks can come home and run the shooting match.

Of course a conflagration in Bangkok will nicely back up his asylum claims too.

But he is shooting FAR beyond that only.

Huh???

The police acted, therefore Thaksin is running the police?

The army didn't stop the police so Thaksin must control the army?

I haven't read the news for a couple of days. I guess there has been a lot going on.

Condolances to the man who lost his leg. That was not meant to happen.

Edited October 7, 2008 by Bryan in Isaan

[george]

Number of injured protesters at 72 so far

BANGKOK: -- The number of protesters injured when police fired tear gases to break up Parliament's blockade was reported at 72 so far, Channel 3 said.

It said 50 protesters were treated at the Vachira Hospital and 22 others at the Ramathibodi Hospital.

It said the man, who suffered a severe injury on his leg and doctors had to amputate it, was identified as Panya Phumekaew.

-- The Nation 2008-10-07

[sriracha john]

Sathit says opposition MPs may not walk over people's blood to attend meeting

Chief opposition whip Sathit Wongnongtoey said Tuesday that opposition MPs may not walk over the people's blood to attend the government policy debate.

"How could MPs walk over the people's blood to attend the meeting?"

The Nation / 3 minutes ago

[h90]

I think PAD is over reaching,

but I can understand their being MORE than a little upset.

No coincidense that Chamlong was arrested on the eve of

the policy speech meeting, a prefect time to make PAD mad as hel_l.

And or Chamlong decided to get out before it went down counter to

his wihes, but that is PURELY speculation. What is clear is that Thaksin

hardliners are controling the police at the moment.

Another power shift at the moment?

Another clear thing, if the PPP, about to be banned, is going to try and

redo the constitution there will be madness going on to stop them.

Without the eminent PPP Party dissolution suspending like Damocles sword,

there might be less intention to stop them, but too many feel they have

no legitimacy to rewrite the constitution during their limited month or two

of future existence. The dissolution is pretty much a foregone conclusion.

If a retro-active Thaksin and/or PPP saving amendment sees the light of day,

The streets WILL go mad. Regardless of legalistic issues, PPP is playing with fire.

It shows THEIR desperation as much as Thaksin's and PAD's to stop them.

If they try to continue to stop the street with force, to back up saving their OWN ASSES.

it will go very very bad. Graft the people would accept up to a point, stupidity of decisions,

they seem to except as S.O.P., but width, depth and breadth of PAD support is showing

that the limits of what they will tolerate is very, very close to the edge right now.

PPP is playing with fire, and not just from PAD, this is only the spearhead.

May you live in interesting times, Somchai...

Don't listen to the man behind the curtain,

he may be family, but he ain't your friend.

PAD is not overreacting....Think for the amendment move of the constitution which is in Parliament today. that might be a surprise move by the PPP to quickly change the constitution.

[h90]

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat ordered police to clear the way into parliament

The Party Leader of the People Power Party orders the police... but People Power Party denies involvement???

PPP Denies Involvement in Police's Crackdown on Protestors

The ruling People Power Party insists the government's policy declaration must go ahead as planned today. It also denies involvement in the police's crackdown on the PAD protest at Parliament at dawn this morning.

TOC / 1 minute ago

Add it to the other 999.999 cases in which we found PPP or Thaksins family lying without any shame.

Recall Thaksins speeches within hours he could tell "I was always for red" "All my live I was for green" "Thailand will be the hub of blue"......

That worked well 50 years ago, but now with Internet and TV it gets more difficult to lye without being detected.

[sriracha john]

A riot police officer fires a tear gas shell at anti-government protesters in front of parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008. Police fired tear gas Tuesday at several thousand demonstrators attempting to block access by lawmakers to the Parliament building in the Thai capital.

Associated Press

[rafval]

better not state the obvious I guess, its not polite

Edited October 7, 2008 by rafval

[AlKing]

PAD siege broken

PAD supporters screamed at police through the loudspeaker system as officers moved in, but the actual PAD core leaders were not seen. PAD founder and leader Sondhi Limthongkul could be heard deploring the "police attack on children in our midst" but he also did not come to the foreground of the action.

-- TNA, Bangkok Post 2008-10-07

Why are the police attacking and hurting children? No shame on the police.

Why are the children blocking the Parliament? No shame on their (the children) parrents

This proves one thing. The PAD has been using children as a human shield. No shame on the PAD.

[jumnien]

They aren't his kids that are in harm's way. Why should Sondhi care?

[sriracha john]

It said the man, who suffered a severe injury on his leg and doctors had to amputate it, was identified as Panya Phumekaew.

ahhh.... the "soft approach".... remnants of Samak's "soft and gentle approach"...

Police have used soft approach on anti-government protesters : PM

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat did not worry about police's using tear gas at anti-government protesters, PM Secretary General Chusak Sirinin said Tuesday.

Chusak said he telephoned Somchai shortly after police used tear gas to break up protesters who blocked the Parliament.

"Prime Minister told me that police have used soft approach to handle the protesters' situation," he said.

Chusak was speaking before meeting Somchai at PM's residence on Chang Wattana Road.

- The Nation / 1 minute ago

Edited October 7, 2008 by sriracha john

[OzMan_Bkk]

Aren't we getting a bit carried away with the legitamacy of the PADs actions ? Not content with taking over the Parliament buildings they then try to stop the parliament from actually meeting and issuing their policy statement. Look, Thai politics in my opinion stinks. It is an old boys club run by misfits and corrupt people. A case of who you know not what you know. They hoodwink a vast number of people to vote for them by handing out money.

However they are elected by the great unwashed and therefore lay claim to be the legitimate government. If some people are not happy so be it. However taking over buildings and screaming at police will not do it. Thaksin has fled the scene and Samak is gone. Time now for the PAD to push reforms in a legitimate way, through legislation. Convince members to put up the aims of the PAD to a vote, even if it is only in the Senate. Make noise, but do it peacefully and within the law. Not like a rabble.

[aussimike]

Dear mister Somchai is showing his true face very fast. He asks for peace with one hand and with the other hand he commits violence. Shows what kind of a person he is.

Waerth

What kind of person he is??? He was unblocking the parliament building.

The PAD should not have been blocking it. Tear gas is the only language they understand.

Am I missing something here?

Bryan - congrats - the only sane comment here - the other OP's really have no idea - these mafia PAD have caused enough division in this country already -- the elected government of this country has the right to govern with the mandate of the people - for good or bad - and to disrupt the daily working of the government and try to topple it with blockades and civil unrest as that which the PAD is trying to stir up is just as the leaders have been charged with - yet to be found guilty I would add - treason and - look up the word "treason' if some of you computer potatoes don't know - "VIOLATION by subject of allegiance to sovereign or to chief authority of State " and in this case the elected government -- if u ask me = guilty by definition -- the police have acted within the law as the PAD has refused to move and so force seems to be the only option left - also interesting to just read that the leaders have been urging the protested to continue but happy to stay in the back ground -- what happened to lead by example haaaaa -- and if some of the protesters are injured - all i can say is 'som nam na'!