Prime minister runs gauntlet of protestors

The Thai prime minister entered his office unhindered today, easing fears of confrontation after 20,000 anti-government protesters surrounded the building the day before demanding that parliament be dissolved and new elections held.

Hundreds of demonstrators allied with exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sat outside the Government House compound for a second day, eating breakfast and listening to speakers, while taking turns on a makeshift stage to criticise the government. Hundreds of police in full riot gear looked on.

A car carrying current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva entered the Government House compound through a side gate without hindrance before leaving two hours later, witnesses said.

The latest protest – which comes a few days before Thailand is to host the annual summit of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations – was trying to show Thailand’s Southeast Asian neighbours that Mr Abhisit’s two-month old government had no right to rule, said a protest leader, Jatuporn Phromphan.

“We want the world to know that this government has no legitimacy,” Mr Jatuporn said. “They have the support of the elite but they don’t have the support of the people.”

Thailand was plagued by political upheaval last year when demonstrators who opposed Mr Thaksin’s allies in the previous government occupied the seat of government for three months.

They also shut down Bangkok’s two airports for eight days in November and December.

The protest ended only when a court ruled to oust Mr Thaksin’s allies for electoral fraud and Mr Abhisit – whose party came in second in a December 2007 general election – was voted into office by parliament.