Off to the airports

The People's Alliance for Democracy on Monday abandoned Government House and moved protesters to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.

Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD core leaders, told protesters encamped at Government House to move to the two international airports the PAD had taken over.



Maj-Gen Chamlong said all five PAD leaders agreed to move protesters out of Government House not because of pressure from any party, but because after occupying the compound of Government House since August 26, it was time to vacate it.



The move was also intended to accommodate royal ceremonies, including the Trooping of the Colour on Tuesday afternoon, to commemorate His Majesty the King's 81st birthday on Friday (Dec 5).



Maj-Gen Chamlong added that the PAD leaders also agreed the two airports were safer places for protesters to encamp than Government House after a series of grenade attacks by unknown assailants there killed one and injured scores of protesters.



"We've decided to use Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as our main rally sites. For Government House, we might not go back there, but we have to assess the situation again," said Maj-Gen Chamlong.



PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said it would allow a selected group of people to assess the damage at Government House on Tuesday and send the report to the Prime Minister's Office.



Nevertheless, Mr Suriyasai said the PAD would not have any money to pay compensation for the damage if it was asked to do so.



The PAD leaders would also reassess the country's political situation after the Constitution Court hands down its verdicts in the party dissolution cases against the People Power, Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties. It will continue to rally if the new government is still a proxy government of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, however.



Government spokesman Nattawut Saikua said the PAD had asked the secretariat to the PM's Office not to launch criminal or civil lawsuits against the PAD.



The spokesman condemned the request as a PAD bid to refuse to take responsibility for its actions.



He claimed PAD leaders had earlier boasted they would ask for donations from supporters to pay compensation for damage they incurred at Government House as well as taking legal responsibility related to the group's seizure.



Mr Nattawut said police would inspect the Government House compound after the PAD had vacated the area. A number of PAD guards were still at Government House last night, but protesters had moved to the two airports.



A PAD source said another reason behind the PAD protesters' abrupt move was a rumour that a joint military-police force would disperse protesters at the two airports and Government House late last night.