Thailand declares state of emergency

2 Sep 2008, 1:02 pm   -   Source: SBS staff and agencies
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Thai PM Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency and banned gatherings of more than five people after anti-government protests turned violent.

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Thai PM Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency and banned gatherings of more than five people after long-running protests turned violent.

One person was killed and dozens injured when pro-and anti-government campaigners clashed on the streets of the country's capital, Bangkok, overnight.

Army reinforcements were called in and gunshots were reportedly fired as thousands of demonstrators faced off near Government House>

Some 15,000 people have occupied the government complex's grounds for more than a week to demand the resignation of Mr Samak, amid claims he is running a puppet government for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a coup in 2006.

"No one has the right to do such a thing as they have done," he told a nationally televised press conference.

"I had no other choice but to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok in order to solve the problem for once and for all. The military and police will carry out the implementation.

"Life will go on as usual," Mr Samak insisted. "The state of emergency will not last long. A curfew will not
be imposed."

'New political model'

The PM accused campaigners from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) of seeking to subvert Thailand's system of government.

"PAD has said clearly that they will not stop even if I quit or call a new election. They want to impose a new political model," he said.

The PAD wants to slash the powers of elected officials, saying that 70 per cent of the seats in parliament should be filled by appointees.

PAD members say democracy encourages corruption, accusing elected leaders of buying votes and saying the rural poor cannot be trusted with ballots.

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the leaders of the PAD, has called on protesters to stay where they are, and not give in to Mr Samak's orders to leave the demonstration site.

"You don't have to be afraid of the state of emergency," he said.
 

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