International

Thai crisis drags on despite Emergency

SINGAPORE: Thailand’s Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej proclaimed a state of Emergency in Bangkok on Tuesday to quell a week-long street rebellion against his rule. However, the crisis was unabated until nightfall, with the Government House remaining under siege by the protesters, who continued to demand Mr. Samak’s resignation.

No curfew was imposed, and Army Chief Anupong Paochinda, who was named Chairman of the Emergency Committee, promised peaceful means to restore order. Pledging the Army would stay people-friendly, he ordered the troops to carry basic anti-riot gear of shields and batons but no weapons. The Emergency decree was issued in the wake of overnight clashes between protesters, who were mobilised by the People’s Alliance for Democracy, and activists of the pro-Government Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.

At least one person was killed and four others were reported injured in the clashes, described as the worst violence in Bangkok for over 15 years. Concern was also expressed in ASEAN circles over how Thailand, the current Chair, would cope with the crisis.

Mr. Samak is widely seen as the “proxy” for the military-deposed and now-self-exiled leader, Thaksin Shinawatra. Having become Premier after a “democracy-restoring election” last December, Mr. Samak has repeatedly said he would not oblige the mobs. He convened an emergency session of the two Houses of Parliament on Sunday to defuse the crisis, but the opposition insisted he step down on grounds of his alleged misrule and links to the deposed leader.

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