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.

Emergency ends at Bangkok in Thailand

The caretaker government has lifted the 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok, effective immediately.

Temporary prime minister Somchai Wongsawat make the announcement on Sunday morning, with Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda and police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, the co-commanders of security forces during the brief emergency.


The press conference was held at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.


Mr Somchai, who currently is the favourite to be named as permanent prime minister by parliament on Wednesday, said he would like all sides to reconcile as a present for His Majesty the King.


He called on the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to stop protesting at Government House because the government is concerned for the demonstrators. The PAD earlier rejected all calls to stop their protest and occupation of Government House.


According to the caretaker premier, the emergency decree in Bangkok has created a negative image, with the House of Representatives scheduled to vote for a new prime minister this week.


Mr Somchai refused to rule out using the emergency decree again if necessary.


On Sept 2, then-premier Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in the capital region, following violent clashes between the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), resulting in the death of a government supporter and dozens of injuries.



The decision to lift the emergency was made at a Saturday night meeting between Mr Somchai and Army chief Gen Anupong.


They agreed the state of emergency was merely damaging the country, and the political situation was under control.