Thousands storm Thai state offices in protest

THOUSANDS of Thai protesters stormed a state- run TV station and the seat of government yesterday, in what Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said was an effort to provoke another coup.

More than 30,000 protesters demanding his resignation seized the television station, invaded the grounds of Government House and besieged at least three ministries in their efforts to cripple Samak’s administration.

Samak, who was elected in December and formed his coalition government in February, warned that his patience was running out.

“They want bloodshed in the country, they want the military to come out and stage a coup again,” he said at a press conference. “I will not resign, I will stay to protect this country,” he added.

Samak said police would surround the seat of government — where most of the protesters who rallied throughout the day have camped out — and not let supplies or people in until all the protesters had left.

“Police will take decisive action against the protesters ... government restraint is almost over,” Samak said, but added force would not be used and the government’s approach would be “soft and gentle”.

“I ask all the protesters who have been blockading or occupying government offices that you still have a chance to withdraw and go back to your homes.”

Piphob Dhongchai, one of the protest leaders, vowed to stay at Government House overnight:

“We are not breaking any laws. We came in here and rallied peacefully.”

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has been protesting since May, claims Samak is running the country on behalf of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is barred from holding office.

PAD protests in early 2006 helped lead to the coup that unseated Thaksin, and the entry to government of his ally Samak infuriated the old power elites in the military and palace, who resented Thaksin’s hold on rural voters.

Demonstrators marched before dawn to the office of the state-run National Broadcasting Service of Thailand, forcing its staff to temporarily stop broadcasting and switch location.

Police said 85 protesters were arrested at the TV station, with a handgun, slingshots and golf clubs also seized.

Thousands of protesters waving national flags and banners marched through the government district and surrounded a number of government ministries, while outside Bangkok about 2,500 people blocked key roads, police said.