Protestors storm Thai govt compound

Protesters demanding the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra broke into and briefly occupied the compound housing his offices tonight, but left peacefully after appeals by demonstration leaders.

Many of the crowd had earlier attended an anti-government rally organised by media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, who for the past several months has been leading a political crusade against Thaksin, accusing him and his government of crruption and abuse of power.

There had been several scuffles between supporters and critics of Sondhi at the rally, held in a downtown park, where the outspoken publisher made a speech highly critical of Thaksin before calling on his followers to march several miles across town to Government House.

Police estimated the crowd that arrived at Government House at about 2,000, with several hundred breaching its perimeter around midnight to occupy the lawn and parking areas outside the building.

They heard speeches denouncing Thaksin, and chanted calls for him to step down.

There were n immediate reports of violence, and the demonstrators appeared to have all left the compound by 1am Saturday (6pm Irish Time Friday), though many remained on the streets outside.