泰5千人衝進跑道 ภูเก็ต 普吉島機場關閉
泰國抗議民眾包圍總理府已在今天進入第四天，緊張氣氛暴增，不服管束的民眾與警方陷入混戰；有數千名抗議民眾衝進機場擋住跑道後，導致泰國當局關閉南部普吉島的機場，許多旅客被困。總理薩瑪依然誓言，他的和平決心不會動搖。
據中央社法新電，薩瑪迄今仍遵守承諾，不行使暴力以中止這場要求他辭職的大規模示威活動。這是他自七個月前掌權以來，在權威上所遭遇的最大挑戰。
大批示威民眾阻擋在首都曼谷的總理府，指控薩瑪是遭推翻前總理戴克辛的傀儡，堅持他必須下台。
這些民眾昨夜設法將大約一千名警察逐出了他們的抗議營地，而警方表示，已發現民眾藏有武器，包括大砍刀和高爾夫球桿在內。
同時抗議運動似乎已擴大，在泰國南部三個觀光景點據報都出現了抗議。還有五千多名反政府抗議民眾衝入普吉國際機場，旅客被困在機場進退兩難。泰國機場發言人說：「由於抗議民眾進入停機坪並且擋住跑道，普吉島國際機場主管決定暫時關閉機場。主管官員正設法與抗議民眾談判。」
發言人表示，在泰國南部合艾市，大約五百名示威民眾也企圖阻止機場的營運。據推測，民眾也打算在北部城市清邁與清萊發動類似抗議行動。
但薩瑪說，他的政策不變。薩瑪說，警察會遵守我早先的命令，他們去到現場只是為了張貼法院的命令，而不是為肅清抗議民眾。
一名記者目擊，鎮暴警察今天曾衝入總理府的庭院，當警察使用盾牌和警棍阻擋憤怒的民眾進入院內時，曾發生小規模衝突。
數千名警察阻擋了這座寬大院落的出入口，但在下午之前，警力似乎已逐漸減少。
現場一名警官稍早表示，總理府院落內約有一、兩萬名抗議群眾，遭到八千名警察包圍。
執法官員試圖入內以宣布法院命令，下命群眾離去，但群眾對這些官員加以阻擋，迫使警方將命令張貼在接近現場的一根街燈柱上。
ภูเก็ต Phuket Airport Closed by Anti-Government Protesters
Jamie's Phuket - 29 August 2008
Bangkok is set for another day of protests. Phuket Airport will be open sometime later today. According the excellent coverage in Phuket Wan, one flight left last night carrying stranded tourists back to Bangkok, and the airport's general manager is quoted as saying there will be no flights until at least noon.
11:30pm and the speeches continue in Bangkok at the PAD rally. The army chief is reported to have refused to impose a state of emergency. No need for it really. The army certainly does not want a coup. The talking continues. Prime Minister is probably sleeping, I would if I was him. Deal with this in the morning. Good night!
10pm - photos of tonights / todays protests on the AP Website
8:47pm and now there are speeches again, with people coughing from the tear gas... no the speeches are outside Government house, while the teargas was fired outside the police HQ.
8:33pm I am watching channel ASTV 1 - it looks kinda scary to me. Lots of tear gas, lots of shouting
NOW! 8:23pm I am watching tear gas being fired RIGHT NOW on TV... A minute ago there was a concert, singing.. now things look a whole lot worse...
The Phuket Gazette is updating the news as it happens here in Phuket (more or less -not sure Phuket Gazette will work 24 hour shift!)
• Phuket Gazette News
Phuket Wan also has updated information... but can they stay awake all night?
The "PAD" - People's Alliance for Democracy - has rallied in Phuket and closed the airport. Latest estimates say there are TEN THOUSAND protestors at the airport. And this is peanuts compared to Bangkok. Krabi and Hat Yai airports have also been closed. This is direct action in large numbers. Stay tuned.
So far no injuries here in Phuket, but I just saw on the news that police had fired tear gas at people in Bangkok about 1 hour ago.
You can find more news on the Bangkok Post website.
• Bangkok Post Special feature with news updates...
The BBC News has the latest too. (Well of course they do!)
BBC also has analysis on WHY this is happening...
Latest situation, 1 hour ago:
PHUKET AIRPORT: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit has called an emergency meeting of his top staff, including Vice-Governors Smith Palawatwichai, Worapoj Ratthasima and Tri Augkaradacha.
The meeting was called to discuss what action should be taken about today’s protest, which has stopped all flights in and out of the airport and crippled Phuket’s tourism industry.
The meeting, being held at Phuket International Airport, is closed to reporters.
________________
Earlier today
Phuket Airport overrun, runways blocked
PHUKET AIRPORT: At about 4:45 pm today, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters breached the main gate at Phuket International Airport, made their way into the main terminal and smashed the windows of the VIP lounge.
Several hundred protesters stormed the runways and airport officials have ordered a halt to all air traffic.
Police have been called in from around the island to supervise the anti-government rally, which had swelled to an estimated 10,000 protesters by 3:30 pm.
The THAI Airways Union has allowed their 15,000 staffers to stop work to show their support for the protest.
Earlier, at about 2:30 pm, the protesters used vehicles to block road access to the airport.
Tourists with outbound flights to catch have been forced to walk several kilometers with their luggage, then clamber over a two-meter spiked security fence.
The traffic tailback now stretches about five kilometers.
Some arriving passengers have been seen walking down Mai Khao Beach in a desperate bid to get out of the area without crossing the PAD protesters.
A growing number of passengers are now trapped inside the airport and the only movement seems to be though a back door at the airport’s staff housing complex.
Just before posting this news online, the Gazette received reports that about 1,000 protesters had marched to the PIA Director’s Office Building, just north of the main parking lot, and some 400 protesters breached the gate at the main entrance and were now heading to the airport, where the scene has been described as “chaos”.
I will keep an eye on the TV and internet and may add more later
Jamie
Protest farce in Bangkok
泰國抗議民眾包圍總理府已在今天進入第四天，緊張氣氛暴增，不服管束的民眾與警方陷入混戰；有數千名抗議民眾衝進機場擋住跑道後，導致泰國當局關閉南部普吉島的機場，許多旅客被困。總理薩瑪依然誓言，他的和平決心不會動搖。
據中央社法新電，薩瑪迄今仍遵守承諾，不行使暴力以中止這場要求他辭職的大規模示威活動。這是他自七個月前掌權以來，在權威上所遭遇的最大挑戰。
大批示威民眾阻擋在首都曼谷的總理府，指控薩瑪是遭推翻前總理戴克辛的傀儡，堅持他必須下台。
這些民眾昨夜設法將大約一千名警察逐出了他們的抗議營地，而警方表示，已發現民眾藏有武器，包括大砍刀和高爾夫球桿在內。
同時抗議運動似乎已擴大，在泰國南部三個觀光景點據報都出現了抗議。還有五千多名反政府抗議民眾衝入普吉國際機場，旅客被困在機場進退兩難。泰國機場發言人說：「由於抗議民眾進入停機坪並且擋住跑道，普吉島國際機場主管決定暫時關閉機場。主管官員正設法與抗議民眾談判。」
發言人表示，在泰國南部合艾市，大約五百名示威民眾也企圖阻止機場的營運。據推測，民眾也打算在北部城市清邁與清萊發動類似抗議行動。
但薩瑪說，他的政策不變。薩瑪說，警察會遵守我早先的命令，他們去到現場只是為了張貼法院的命令，而不是為肅清抗議民眾。
一名記者目擊，鎮暴警察今天曾衝入總理府的庭院，當警察使用盾牌和警棍阻擋憤怒的民眾進入院內時，曾發生小規模衝突。
數千名警察阻擋了這座寬大院落的出入口，但在下午之前，警力似乎已逐漸減少。
現場一名警官稍早表示，總理府院落內約有一、兩萬名抗議群眾，遭到八千名警察包圍。
執法官員試圖入內以宣布法院命令，下命群眾離去，但群眾對這些官員加以阻擋，迫使警方將命令張貼在接近現場的一根街燈柱上。
ภูเก็ต Phuket Airport Closed by Anti-Government Protesters
Jamie's Phuket - 29 August 2008
Update Saturday Morning 30th August
Bangkok is set for another day of protests. Phuket Airport will be open sometime later today. According the excellent coverage in Phuket Wan, one flight left last night carrying stranded tourists back to Bangkok, and the airport's general manager is quoted as saying there will be no flights until at least noon.
11:30pm and the speeches continue in Bangkok at the PAD rally. The army chief is reported to have refused to impose a state of emergency. No need for it really. The army certainly does not want a coup. The talking continues. Prime Minister is probably sleeping, I would if I was him. Deal with this in the morning. Good night!
10pm - photos of tonights / todays protests on the AP Website
8:47pm and now there are speeches again, with people coughing from the tear gas... no the speeches are outside Government house, while the teargas was fired outside the police HQ.
8:33pm I am watching channel ASTV 1 - it looks kinda scary to me. Lots of tear gas, lots of shouting
NOW! 8:23pm I am watching tear gas being fired RIGHT NOW on TV... A minute ago there was a concert, singing.. now things look a whole lot worse...
The Phuket Gazette is updating the news as it happens here in Phuket (more or less -not sure Phuket Gazette will work 24 hour shift!)
• Phuket Gazette News
Phuket Wan also has updated information... but can they stay awake all night?
The "PAD" - People's Alliance for Democracy - has rallied in Phuket and closed the airport. Latest estimates say there are TEN THOUSAND protestors at the airport. And this is peanuts compared to Bangkok. Krabi and Hat Yai airports have also been closed. This is direct action in large numbers. Stay tuned.
So far no injuries here in Phuket, but I just saw on the news that police had fired tear gas at people in Bangkok about 1 hour ago.
You can find more news on the Bangkok Post website.
• Bangkok Post Special feature with news updates...
The BBC News has the latest too. (Well of course they do!)
BBC also has analysis on WHY this is happening...
Latest situation, 1 hour ago:
PHUKET AIRPORT: Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit has called an emergency meeting of his top staff, including Vice-Governors Smith Palawatwichai, Worapoj Ratthasima and Tri Augkaradacha.
The meeting was called to discuss what action should be taken about today’s protest, which has stopped all flights in and out of the airport and crippled Phuket’s tourism industry.
The meeting, being held at Phuket International Airport, is closed to reporters.
________________
Earlier today
Phuket Airport overrun, runways blocked
PHUKET AIRPORT: At about 4:45 pm today, People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters breached the main gate at Phuket International Airport, made their way into the main terminal and smashed the windows of the VIP lounge.
Several hundred protesters stormed the runways and airport officials have ordered a halt to all air traffic.
Police have been called in from around the island to supervise the anti-government rally, which had swelled to an estimated 10,000 protesters by 3:30 pm.
The THAI Airways Union has allowed their 15,000 staffers to stop work to show their support for the protest.
Earlier, at about 2:30 pm, the protesters used vehicles to block road access to the airport.
Tourists with outbound flights to catch have been forced to walk several kilometers with their luggage, then clamber over a two-meter spiked security fence.
The traffic tailback now stretches about five kilometers.
Some arriving passengers have been seen walking down Mai Khao Beach in a desperate bid to get out of the area without crossing the PAD protesters.
A growing number of passengers are now trapped inside the airport and the only movement seems to be though a back door at the airport’s staff housing complex.
Just before posting this news online, the Gazette received reports that about 1,000 protesters had marched to the PIA Director’s Office Building, just north of the main parking lot, and some 400 protesters breached the gate at the main entrance and were now heading to the airport, where the scene has been described as “chaos”.
I will keep an eye on the TV and internet and may add more later
Jamie
Protest farce in Bangkok
Police clash with protesters - then pull out. A court issues an eviction order, then changes its mind. An embattled prime minister asks for army support to declare a state of emergency, but is refused.
A political crisis, or farce?
Here is a brief summary of events, starting late this morning:
- Police move against protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy, who have taken over Government House. They want to put up notices from the courts, telling the protesters they will be evicted.
- Police also try to take the PAD protest site near the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen avenue, prompting a brief clash. Protesters re-take the site after driving a truck into police, who retreat.
-Earlier, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed police will not use violence to dispel the protest. People are hurt, but the police argue that they were merely putting up notices, not dispelling the crowd.
-Protesters ask court to overturn eviction order, saying police resorted to violence in serving it. Court agrees.
- PAD calls out more supporters. Reuters says crowd at Govt House swells to 25,000, after initially dwindling to a mere 3000 overnight due to rain.
- Mr Samak meets army chief General Anupong Paojinda, asking if he can impose a state of emergency. Gen Anupong turns down his request, suggests he resign in the next couple of days, dissolve the House, and call a new election. He wants police to handle the situation rather than the army, and does not want any more coups.
- About 2000 PAD protesters lay siege to Police Headquarters. Protesters toss tear gas, bottles. Police deny claims they tossed back tear gas of their own. Heavily-armed police repel the protesters, who withdraw.
-In the South, PAD protesters take control of Hat Yai, Phuket and Krabi provincial airports. Nationwide, rail staff refuse to work, disrupting train services, and staff unions from utility companies and Thai Airways International threaten to go out in sympathy.
Can the government last the weekend? Are many PAD supporters, as one journalist claimed, supporters of the opposition Democrat Party, seizing this opportunity to topple the government?
Gripping stuff. In some parts of the city, at least, Thais were unruffled.
In mid-afternoon, I walked into a shop selling pork off the leg on rice. Customers were staring upwards as I walked in. Since my last visit a week ago, the owners have installed a flat-screen television on the wall.
Were they watching the protest drama unfold, as I was moments before on television at home?
No. They were watching a fantasy cartoon on a satellite channel.
In early evening, I walked into another eatery, in a fresh market close to work. The owner was busy helping staff put servings of fried rice and chicken into white styrofoam cartons. He laid out at least 30 cartons, then ladled the food from a large pot, one serving into each.
The PAD protest was showing on a television, attached to the ceiling.
A group of regulars was drinking at a table nearby. 'Are you shouting the PAD protesters?' one joked.
The owner laughed, went red in the face, and said no.
'A customer has placed an order urgently for a large group, that's all,' he said.
Postscript: Let me end on an entertaining note. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has instructed embassies overseas to tell the world that the protests are a normal expression of people exercising their democratic rights. So far, only minor injuries have been reported.
A political crisis, or farce?
Here is a brief summary of events, starting late this morning:
- Police move against protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy, who have taken over Government House. They want to put up notices from the courts, telling the protesters they will be evicted.
- Police also try to take the PAD protest site near the Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen avenue, prompting a brief clash. Protesters re-take the site after driving a truck into police, who retreat.
-Earlier, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej vowed police will not use violence to dispel the protest. People are hurt, but the police argue that they were merely putting up notices, not dispelling the crowd.
-Protesters ask court to overturn eviction order, saying police resorted to violence in serving it. Court agrees.
- PAD calls out more supporters. Reuters says crowd at Govt House swells to 25,000, after initially dwindling to a mere 3000 overnight due to rain.
- Mr Samak meets army chief General Anupong Paojinda, asking if he can impose a state of emergency. Gen Anupong turns down his request, suggests he resign in the next couple of days, dissolve the House, and call a new election. He wants police to handle the situation rather than the army, and does not want any more coups.
- About 2000 PAD protesters lay siege to Police Headquarters. Protesters toss tear gas, bottles. Police deny claims they tossed back tear gas of their own. Heavily-armed police repel the protesters, who withdraw.
-In the South, PAD protesters take control of Hat Yai, Phuket and Krabi provincial airports. Nationwide, rail staff refuse to work, disrupting train services, and staff unions from utility companies and Thai Airways International threaten to go out in sympathy.
Can the government last the weekend? Are many PAD supporters, as one journalist claimed, supporters of the opposition Democrat Party, seizing this opportunity to topple the government?
Gripping stuff. In some parts of the city, at least, Thais were unruffled.
In mid-afternoon, I walked into a shop selling pork off the leg on rice. Customers were staring upwards as I walked in. Since my last visit a week ago, the owners have installed a flat-screen television on the wall.
Were they watching the protest drama unfold, as I was moments before on television at home?
No. They were watching a fantasy cartoon on a satellite channel.
In early evening, I walked into another eatery, in a fresh market close to work. The owner was busy helping staff put servings of fried rice and chicken into white styrofoam cartons. He laid out at least 30 cartons, then ladled the food from a large pot, one serving into each.
The PAD protest was showing on a television, attached to the ceiling.
A group of regulars was drinking at a table nearby. 'Are you shouting the PAD protesters?' one joked.
The owner laughed, went red in the face, and said no.
'A customer has placed an order urgently for a large group, that's all,' he said.
Postscript: Let me end on an entertaining note. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has instructed embassies overseas to tell the world that the protests are a normal expression of people exercising their democratic rights. So far, only minor injuries have been reported.
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