Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters In Front Of Parliament

[Mobi]

From today's New York Times:

BANGKOK — Thailand’s political crisis worsened Tuesday when anti government protesters trapped lawmakers inside the Parliament building and fought running battles with the police that left one person dead and nearly 400 injured.

Riot police officers beat an anti government protester outside Parliament in Bangkok on Tuesday. At least one person was killed during a series of street battles.

The violence on Tuesday included attacks on the Thai police by protesters armed with sticks. Lawmakers were trapped inside Parliament for several hours before they were able to escape.

The army was deployed on the streets of Bangkok after the worst political violence since 1992 as protesters continued a six-week sit-in outside the prime minister’s office, forcing the government to conduct its business from a former international airport.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat asserted that he would not step down, and the military repeated a promise not to stage a coup, while the protesters said they would continue their actions until they brought down the government.

They accuse the ruling party of being an extension of the rule of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was elected on a populist program in 2001 and ousted in a coup in September 2006. He now lives in London but continues to exert influence among his allies here.

The protesters surrounded Parliament throughout the day Tuesday, and Mr. Somchai left by escaping over a back fence in the morning after delivering a policy address. But other members of Parliament were unable to leave for more than five hours, until the police dispersed the protesters with volleys of tear gas.

The Thai military announced that it would deploy unarmed troops to help the police keep peace in the days to come.

“We ran, ran, ran,” said one Parliament member, Niyom Vejkarma, who had stripped off his jacket and tie and fled from the building in his patent leather shoes.

“My eyes are sore,” he said, referring to the tear gas that lingered in the air as he and fellow lawmakers stood at a street corner with their cellphones and called their drivers.

The assault on Parliament was the culmination of an escalating feud between an urban elite trying to reclaim traditional hierarchical authority and a democratically elected government backed by a rising rural underclass.

The protesters were led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy, a patchwork coalition of businessmen, academics and activists who have held street demonstrations against the government since May, and occupied the grounds on Aug. 26.

Their protests have remained mostly peaceful, but they have set the country on edge with memories of a military crackdown in 1992 when the army killed dozens of pro-democracy protesters demanding the ouster of a military-backed government.

Speaking to reporters after the violence subsided late Tuesday, Cmdr. Gen. Anupong Paochinda of the army asserted: “We will not stage a coup. A coup would not do any good to the country. It won’t accomplish anything. It is not hard to stage a coup. But making a country function after staging one is.”

The civilian government installed by the military after its coup in 2006 was widely seen as incompetent and ineffective. When Mr. Thaksin’s allies regained power in a parliamentary election last December, the country returned to the political stand-off that had led to the coup.

Mr. Somchai is a brother-in-law of Mr. Thaksin. He has sought to find a compromise with the protesters since taking office last month, but the protest at the Parliament building appears to have derailed the early stages of talks.

The alliance says it wants to modify the country’s democratic system to weaken the electoral power of the rural poor, who formed the base of support for Mr. Thaksin and now for the governing People Power Party.

The protesters’ assault on the Parliament building and the street battles appeared to have been well planned and well supplied — demonstrators distributed food, water and masks to protect against tear gas.

The protesters made barricades of tires and razor wire and secured the entrance to the Parliament building. Reinforcements arrived during the afternoon, some carrying banners.

The police attacked repeatedly, firing tear gas canisters and chasing protesters down alleys.

The protesters, some wearing motorcycle helmets and masks, some armed with metal rods, machetes and slingshots, threw back the tear gas canisters and used rocks and firecrackers as missiles.

[hammered]

Aren't you assuming (without proof) that the shotguns are loaded with lethal ammo?

How do you know that the shotguns are not loaded with rubber bullets (non-lethal ammo)?

Sorry I DO know guns and there is TWO teargas launcher

and SEVERAL real shot guns in those pictures.

These police are heavily armed and can take out a leg easily with double 00 buck.

With a 2-3" slug, it can take a knee right off.

This is not crowd control this is going to war at close range.

Well having seen first hand a poor guy who's knee and leg

were shattered and cut off with ONE 3" 20 gauge shotgun slug,

I saw it before and right after...

I think I can look at the pictures and say this doesn't look like rubber bullits to me.

Maybe the police were using rubber bullits or rock salt,

but I doubt they would be taking a knife to a gun fight.

It also doesn't mean that a third party wanting to stir the pot ,

isn't taking an occasional pot shot, sniper style from another vantage point,

to make the situation spin out of control...

Shot guns leave little ballistic evidence even with slugs.

Gun powder residue and that's about it unless a particular barrel is scored.

Someone on the nation forums was saying he saw plain clothes police firing shot guns from within the police ranks. Who knows to the veracity of the claim, but right now the PAD sympathisers believe the police used grenades and firearms while the police state they didnt and the PPP people support the police statement.

Sure video footage and pictures have shown shotguns and grenades which goes against the police and PPP statements but even when shown the evidence it will be rebuffed with claims, that may or may not be true, that the grenades were tear gas grenades and the shotguns were for rubber bullets. The actual truth may never be known but whichever side one supports one will believe the claim of that side. We are sadly beyond facts and truths and into the land of beliefs on both sides now.

[Plus]

This is a revolution, people are rising against the government.

When that happens, it's the government's fault, not people's.

What do we normally do in the world if the lines are so sharply drawn up that no middle-ground can be found, we turn to the international organisations for unbiased evaluation of the situation..

You mean to find a neutral judge?

Well, in this war against Thaksin it's not the lack of judges, it's the ability to enforce the law. He ran, in case you haven't noticed. Do we need an international organisation to bring him back to court? Would be nice. Does it exists? No. Thais are left on their own here.

I don't fall for this "PAD are out to get the poor" excuse. They are out to get Thaksin, and he doesn't argue his innocence anymore, he just doesn't accept his guilt.

PPP has run completely unopposed until they decided to scrap all cases against their real boss via constitution amendments, if you don't remember. They call it Thaksin's nominee government, and everyone knows it is. The poor have nothing to do with this battle, no one is fighting them, and that's perhaps the reason they keep quiet about it. They don't really care, it's not their war.

[jayjayjayjay]

Shot guns leave little ballistic evidence even with slugs.

Gun powder residue and that's about it unless a particular barrel is scored.

Wrong, shot guns leave significant evidence, there would be more than enough in this guys wounds to determine, shot gun, explosive or whatever. Wait for official results.

[Mobi]

3 PPP MP's were denied boarding THAI flights this morning. THAI claimed that it's captains did not allow them to board their flights due to security reasons.

Post News (sms)

I also read somewhere yesterday that a another port strike is planned for Thursday.

The stakes are being continually raised......

[hammered]

Shot guns leave little ballistic evidence even with slugs.

Gun powder residue and that's about it unless a particular barrel is scored.

Wrong, shot guns leave significant evidence, there would be more than enough in this guys wounds to determine, shot gun, explosive or whatever. Wait for official results.

For official results to be trusted they will need to be done by an independent and respected person such as Khunying Porntip.

A lot can be told by the kind of wound. Doctors have already stated the wounds were consistent with powerful explosives and shrapnel ruling out tear gas rounds(explicitly stated) and shotgun rounds (by implication) in effect. It would seem grenades are the more likely culprit, and I am not going to guess the source.

However, I have a funny feeling that what people end up seeing as "the truth" will based more on what horse they back than on truth

[sriracha john]

A THAI flight denies PPP MP

A People Power Party MP was denied boarding a THAI flight from Bangkok to Khon Kaen on Wednesday morning.

Farida Sulaiman, an MP of Surin province, was about to board TG 1040 flight which was scheduled to leave Bangkok at about 6.15am.

Manager newspaper online reported that captain of the flight, whose name is not revealed, came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight will not allow any PPP MPs or any politicians who harm people to board.

Farida reportedly wore a jacket which has PPP logo and name on the back.

Upon learning the captain's announcement, Farida agreed to board another flight.

- The Nation / 2008-10-08

[lazeeboy]

A THAI flight denies PPP MP

A People Power Party MP was denied boarding a THAI flight from Bangkok to Khon Kaen on Wednesday morning.

Farida Sulaiman, an MP of Surin province, was about to board TG 1040 flight which was scheduled to leave Bangkok at about 6.15am.

Manager newspaper online reported that captain of the flight, whose name is not revealed, came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight will not allow any PPP MPs or any politicians who harm people to board.

Farida reportedly wore a jacket which has PPP logo and name on the back.

Upon learning the captain's announcement, Farida agreed to board another flight.

- The Nation / 2008-10-08

i wonder what his bosses have to say about losing them profit...

[Bangyai]

You wouldn't let a screaming madman like Sondhi L. near your children or loved ones, why would anyone let him near the political process?

For the umpteenth time - Sondhi is not going into politics, never had, never will.

He is not going to implement his proposals, he leaves that to the society.

Totally incorrect from you, as usual. Sondhis ' gerrymandering ' constitutes the worst kind of political involvement. The demolition of an ailing democracy in favour of a system that although ostensibly offering voter participation , will in reality mean that corperate business will always hold a majority of seats and will thus be able to bulldose through any legistlation it sees fit.

Most observers would agree that Sondhi is already ' into politics ' to the detriment of Thai society as a whole. He should take a holiday, preferably to Laos where he will be recieved with the due attention he deserves.

[animatic]

It's all very quiet on the news front, whats happening?

SJ needed a lavatory break?

[jayjayjayjay]

Shot guns leave little ballistic evidence even with slugs.

Gun powder residue and that's about it unless a particular barrel is scored.

Wrong, shot guns leave significant evidence, there would be more than enough in this guys wounds to determine, shot gun, explosive or whatever. Wait for official results.

For official results to be trusted they will need to be done by an independent and respected person such as Khunying Porntip.

A lot can be told by the kind of wound. Doctors have already stated the wounds were consistent with powerful explosives and shrapnel ruling out tear gas rounds(explicitly stated) and shotgun rounds (by implication) in effect. It would seem grenades are the more likely culprit, and I am not going to guess the source.

However, I have a funny feeling that what people end up seeing as "the truth" will based more on what horse they back than on truth

I dont think so, I believe Khunying Porntip is professional enough to be independant....

[Payboy]

A THAI flight denies PPP MP

A People Power Party MP was denied boarding a THAI flight from Bangkok to Khon Kaen on Wednesday morning.

Farida Sulaiman, an MP of Surin province, was about to board TG 1040 flight which was scheduled to leave Bangkok at about 6.15am.

Manager newspaper online reported that captain of the flight, whose name is not revealed, came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight will not allow any PPP MPs or any politicians who harm people to board.

Farida reportedly wore a jacket which has PPP logo and name on the back.

Upon learning the captain's announcement, Farida agreed to board another flight.

- The Nation / 2008-10-08

i wonder what his bosses have to say about losing them profit...

he'll probably be applying at garuda soon....

[sriracha john]

2 more PPP MPs rejected by THAI captain

The captain of Thai Airways International Fight 1002 from Don Muang to Udon Thani did not allow two People Power Party MPs to board his plane at 9 am.

Nong Bua Lamphu MP Chaiya Promma and Nong Khai MP Chomphu Chanthathong were not allowed to board the plane, which left the airport at 9:25 am.

- The Nation / 2008-10-08

[Payboy]

It's all very quiet on the news front, whats happening?

SJ needed a lavatory break?

why waste it when you can post it....

sorry sj, couldnt resist that...

[animatic]

Shot guns leave little ballistic evidence even with slugs.

Gun powder residue and that's about it unless a particular barrel is scored.

Wrong, shot guns leave significant evidence, there would be more than enough in this guys wounds to determine, shot gun, explosive or whatever. Wait for official results.

For official results to be trusted they will need to be done by an independent and respected person such as Khunying Porntip.

A lot can be told by the kind of wound. Doctors have already stated the wounds were consistent with powerful explosives and shrapnel ruling out tear gas rounds(explicitly stated) and shotgun rounds (by implication) in effect. It would seem grenades are the more likely culprit, and I am not going to guess the source.

However, I have a funny feeling that what people end up seeing as "the truth" will based more on what horse they back than on truth

JJJJ I said BALLISTIC evidence, which ties it to a particular gun.

I DID say gun powder residue IS left. Which includes wadding

and charge type and doping for batch identification.

I have read 3-4 books on forensic science, long before CSI ever came to air.

[animatic]

Shot guns leave little ballistic evidence even with slugs.

Gun powder residue and that's about it unless a particular barrel is scored.

Wrong, shot guns leave significant evidence, there would be more than enough in this guys wounds to determine, shot gun, explosive or whatever. Wait for official results.

For official results to be trusted they will need to be done by an independent and respected person such as Khunying Porntip.

A lot can be told by the kind of wound. Doctors have already stated the wounds were consistent with powerful explosives and shrapnel ruling out tear gas rounds(explicitly stated) and shotgun rounds (by implication) in effect. It would seem grenades are the more likely culprit, and I am not going to guess the source.

However, I have a funny feeling that what people end up seeing as "the truth" will based more on what horse they back than on truth

I dont think so, I believe Khunying Porntip is professional enough to be independant....

I'll second that.

A very impressive woman, and properly trasined scientist,

who takes no shit from ANYONE. Just the facts ma'am!

[sriracha john]

PAD in provinces rush to join Bangkok's rally

Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy throughout the country have condemned the police for the violent crackdown at Parliament, while a mass number of supporters have rushed to join the rally in Bangkok.

Phuket...

Songkhla Province...

Mai Sai...

Satun...

PAD supporters in many provinces have continued to join the rally in Bangkok and intend to stay for long. They also collected money and food donations for their fellow protesters.

Police concerned over PAD protesters from throughout country

The Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police has expressed concern over members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)converging on Bangkok. He has also asked that citizens not fall prey to instigators and to be wary of third parties.

Deputy Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Police Major General Umnuay Nimmano commented on the rally situation which escalated throughout last night, saying that a major concern is PAD members moving into the capital from other provinces.

He said that the volatile nature of the demonstration will only be exacerbated by the addition of more protesters. The deputy commander also reiterated the dangers of interlopers citing a jeep bombing last night, adding that the police still have no idea which side is responsible for the explosion.

Police Major General Umnuay affirmed that police had only used tear gas in their operations *not even conceding that the shotguns in photos were even used with just rubber bullets*, remarking that severe injuries seen amongst PAD members may be a result of their own explosives used against police.

- ThaiNews / 2008-10-08

[RenzoInOz]

A THAI flight denies PPP MP

A People Power Party MP was denied boarding a THAI flight from Bangkok to Khon Kaen on Wednesday morning.

Farida Sulaiman, an MP of Surin province, was about to board TG 1040 flight which was scheduled to leave Bangkok at about 6.15am.

Manager newspaper online reported that captain of the flight, whose name is not revealed, came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight will not allow any PPP MPs or any politicians who harm people to board.

Farida reportedly wore a jacket which has PPP logo and name on the back.

Upon learning the captain's announcement, Farida agreed to board another flight.

- The Nation / 2008-10-08

i wonder what his bosses have to say about losing them profit...

he'll probably be applying at garuda soon....

Or One-Two-Go... which is, alas, about to hit the skies again soon having finally passed its safety checks...

[canuckamuck]

Well having seen first hand a poor guy who's knee and leg

were shattered and cut off with ONE 3" 20 gauge shotgun slug,

I saw it before and right after...

I think I can look at the pictures and say this doesn't look like rubber bullits to me.

Maybe the police were using rubber bullits or rock salt,

but I doubt they would be taking a knife to a gun fight.

It also doesn't mean that a third party wanting to stir the pot ,

isn't taking an occasional pot shot, sniper style from another vantage point,

to make the situation spin out of control...

Shot guns leave little ballistic evidence even with slugs.

Gun powder residue and that's about it unless a particular barrel is scored.

No balistic evidence yet you know the gauge and length of the shell.

By the way I have trouble imagining the use of a 20 guage shotgun for crowd control, that's a girls gun.

And I don't think they have 3" shells for the 20 guage. And why would you need 3 inch shells?

[sriracha john]

Two people were killed in the clashes on Tuesday, and more than 400 were injured. Six people have lost limbs.

Many believed that the loss of limbs was unlikely to have been caused by police tear gas canisters, but rather by explosive devices.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=131236

[Plus]

You wouldn't let a screaming madman like Sondhi L. near your children or loved ones, why would anyone let him near the political process?

For the umpteenth time - Sondhi is not going into politics, never had, never will.

He is not going to implement his proposals, he leaves that to the society.

Totally incorrect from you, as usual. Sondhis ' gerrymandering ' constitutes the worst kind of political involvement. The demolition of an ailing democracy in favour of a system that although ostensibly offering voter participation , will in reality mean that corperate business will always hold a majority of seats and will thus be able to bulldose through any legistlation it sees fit.

Most observers would agree that Sondhi is already ' into politics ' to the detriment of Thai society as a whole. He should take a holiday, preferably to Laos where he will be recieved with the due attention he deserves.

What is undeniably correct is that Sondhi is not going into politics himself. What kind of system "new politics" will eventually produe is open for a debate, and guess what, Sondhi won't be a part of it either.

As for corporate business controlling majority of seats - that's been ALREADY going on for ages, and that's exactly why Sondhi wants to change the system to enforce direct representation instead of dummy politicians in employ of corporations. The very reason for new politics is to remove the money and corporations from political process.

[Denim]

Pretty weird ..... the rich and influential turning Thailand into a paria state.?? This time next year, after the shortly to arrive coup, Thailand will be like Burma....on everyones blacklist. No tourist industry to speak of, very little foreign investment etc etc. hel_l....if all those rich Bangkok people are that desperate to turn themselves into urban poor, no need for all this fuss...just send the money to me.

Pretty weird that you post without any idea on what this is about.....

These government now makes Thailand look like Myanmar with violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Whereas you of course know exactly what this is all about ? You have a Thai gf ( wow !! that must have been difficult for you ) and having swallowed her politics hook line and sinker you now have nothing better to do except pontificate on the wonderful antics of the PAD.

Who refuses to accept the democratically elected leader of Burma ? The Burmese military Junta. Who refuses to accept the democratically elected govournment of Thailand ? The Thai military with their PAD lackies. The world has responded to Burmese politics and it will likely respond in the same way if the PAD succeed in their putsch. The kids in this cafe playing their video games probably have more idea what this is about than you do.

[catmac]

I just saw pictures of the victims. I almost vomit. My highest/best regards to these people who know what can happen but continue to fight for their country without being afraid of being beat to a cripple by the corrupt police

Most farangs would not have the balls for that in their home country.

I don't understand how the police can lower themself that way! Killing peaceful people to serve a corrupt illegal premier.

h90, you are becoming an hysterical bore, do try to comment on reality and stop your stupid denigration of anyone who happens to disagree with you. For your information, in my younger days I took part in many violent demonstrations fighting the very elitist/quasi-fascist people I now see allied to PAD. By the way, I don't see you (or your Merc-driving chums) taking any risks, so much easier to pay some unemployed thugs to do your dirty work for you!

[h90]

Pretty weird ..... the rich and influential turning Thailand into a paria state.?? This time next year, after the shortly to arrive coup, Thailand will be like Burma....on everyones blacklist. No tourist industry to speak of, very little foreign investment etc etc. hel_l....if all those rich Bangkok people are that desperate to turn themselves into urban poor, no need for all this fuss...just send the money to me.

Pretty weird that you post without any idea on what this is about.....

These government now makes Thailand look like Myanmar with violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Whereas you of course know exactly what this is all about ? You have a Thai gf ( wow !! that must have been difficult for you ) and having swallowed her politics hook line and sinker you now have nothing better to do except pontificate on the wonderful antics of the PAD.

Who refuses to accept the democratically elected leader of Burma ? The Burmese military Junta. Who refuses to accept the democratically elected govournment of Thailand ? The Thai military with their PAD lackies. The world has responded to Burmese politics and it will likely respond in the same way if the PAD succeed in their putsch. The kids in this cafe playing their video games probably have more idea what this is about than you do.

Which democratic elected government?

You might missed that the EC told to dissolved the PPP because of fraud at the election.....did you miss that?

PPP has no right to form a government

[sriracha john]

Riot police officers beat an anti-government protester outside Parliament in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Getty Images

[h90]

I just saw pictures of the victims. I almost vomit. My highest/best regards to these people who know what can happen but continue to fight for their country without being afraid of being beat to a cripple by the corrupt police

Most farangs would not have the balls for that in their home country.

I don't understand how the police can lower themself that way! Killing peaceful people to serve a corrupt illegal premier.

h90, you are becoming an hysterical bore, do try to comment on reality and stop your stupid denigration of anyone who happens to disagree with you. For your information, in my younger days I took part in many violent demonstrations fighting the very elitist/quasi-fascist people I now see allied to PAD. By the way, I don't see you (or your Merc-driving chums) taking any risks, so much easier to pay some unemployed thugs to do your dirty work for you!

Before you post nonsense...please just walk over there and look if you see some paid unemployed thugs or just mostly middle class and rich people.

Hint hint: turn on ASTV (you can turn off the sound, to avoid picking up some knowlege) and look at the people.....

You won't see me there as I see it as not right for a Farang, but my wife is there every day.

[bino]

A THAI flight denies PPP MP

A People Power Party MP was denied boarding a THAI flight from Bangkok to Khon Kaen on Wednesday morning.

Farida Sulaiman, an MP of Surin province, was about to board TG 1040 flight which was scheduled to leave Bangkok at about 6.15am.

Manager newspaper online reported that captain of the flight, whose name is not revealed, came out of the cockpit and announced that his flight will not allow any PPP MPs or any politicians who harm people to board.

Farida reportedly wore a jacket which has PPP logo and name on the back.

Upon learning the captain's announcement, Farida agreed to board another flight.

- The Nation / 2008-10-08

i wonder what his bosses have to say about losing them profit...

he'll probably be applying at garuda soon....

Or getting a raise / commendation. IIRC, THAI airways was supporting the PAD and threatening to strike during the Samak controversy.

[jdinasia]

Pretty weird ..... the rich and influential turning Thailand into a paria state.?? This time next year, after the shortly to arrive coup, Thailand will be like Burma....on everyones blacklist. No tourist industry to speak of, very little foreign investment etc etc. hel_l....if all those rich Bangkok people are that desperate to turn themselves into urban poor, no need for all this fuss...just send the money to me.

Pretty weird that you post without any idea on what this is about.....

These government now makes Thailand look like Myanmar with violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

Whereas you of course know exactly what this is all about ? You have a Thai gf ( wow !! that must have been difficult for you ) and having swallowed her politics hook line and sinker you now have nothing better to do except pontificate on the wonderful antics of the PAD.

Who refuses to accept the democratically elected leader of Burma ? The Burmese military Junta. Who refuses to accept the democratically elected govournment of Thailand ? The Thai military with their PAD lackies. The world has responded to Burmese politics and it will likely respond in the same way if the PAD succeed in their putsch. The kids in this cafe playing their video games probably have more idea what this is about than you do.

They CERTAINLY know more about it than you do Denim

Your comparison is specious at best, not to mention .... stupid. Next you will bring up Hitler, PolPot, Stalin? LOL

[rainman]

Perhaps a solution to the problem is to give the protesters a job, then they wouldn't be able to sit on the streets all day and night, if they had to wake up at 6am to go to work.

Oh no, please tell me - You're and English Sun Reader. Aren't you

I'm not English, sorry. Not even British. I've been to England 3 or 4 times in my life, though ..for about a week the longest. Does that count?

I'm just being realistic and you can't tell me that if you have a 9-to-5 job (or whatever working hours), you can spend weeks protesting on the streets. The guy that they showed on the video on CNN that was leading the protesters hasn't washed himself for the past 4 weeks and didn't even wear shoes. That says something.

[sriracha john]

Injury toll from Thai mayhem reaches 437, two dead

Bangkok - A showdown in Bangkok between police and protesters around Parliament claimed two dead and 437 injured, public health officials said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, in the worst street fighting witnessed in the capital since the May event of 1992, riot police confronted thousands of followers of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which had laid siege to Parliament in an effort to block Thailand's newly appointed government from reading its policy statement, thus legitimizing its rule.

Police largely limited themselves to using tear gas against the PAD, but by firing the canisters directly into the crowds they caused many serious injuries, including the loss of limbs for four protesters.

One female protester died en route to hospital from asphyxiation and a man was killed when a jeep exploded near Parliament under still mysterious circumstances.

The emergency centre of the Public Health Ministry reported that 437 people were injured in Tuesday's street fighting, with 73 still hospitalized as of Wednesday. The injured were not exclusively protesters. At least eight policemen were badly injured, two by gun fire and a third who was run over repeatedly by a pickup truck.

Bangkok has not witnessed such bloodshed since the army cracked down on a similar protest in May 1992, against the government of former Prime Minster General Suchinda Kraprayoon.

That bloodbath left over 100 dead or missing. Suchinda was forced to resign.

The 1992 protests were led by Major-General Chamlong Srimuang, a founder of the PAD, a loose coalition of groups opposed to the return to power of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his populist policies that arguably altered Thailand's traditional political scene of checks and balances between elected politicians and appointed bureaucrats.

The PAD, which was born in late 2005 as a mass movement to oust Thaksin, Thailand's prime minister between 2001 to 2006, has been staging street protests against the administrations led by the People Power Party (PPP), which won the December 23, 2007 election, since May this year.

They accuse the PPP, which has close ties to Thaksin, of trying to reinstate Thaksin who is currently living in self-exile in London with his family.

Thousands of PAD followers stormed and occupied Government House, the seat of the administration, on August 26, and have occupied it since.

The PAD took to the streets again on Monday to lay siege to Parliament, in a bid to prevent the newly appointed Cabinet of Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law, from launching his administration on Tuesday.

The protest followed the arrest on Sunday of Chamlong on treason charges. Most PAD followers had returned to Government House, their headquarters for the past month and a half, on Wednesday.

"We have heard a lot of rumours on the possible attack and we think it is more important to station here (inside Government House)," said Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD leader.

"We can march to Parliament any time but we do have to stay here because here is the symbol of government," he told PAD followers in a speech at Government House Tuesday night, according to Thai media reports.

- DPA / 2008-10-08