Thai protests broaden to air and rail closures

Thai protesters had skirmishes with police on Friday as tensions increased during the fourth day of their occupation of the government compound in Bangkok, and signs of escalating chaos across the kingdom began to test the commitment to a peaceful resolution made by the country’s prime minister.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is keeping his promise thus far to avoid the use of violence to end the massive demonstrations that began over three months ago and that now have culminated in the demand for his resignation, in what so far has been the biggest challenge he has faced since assuming office around seven months ago.

More than 25,000 demonstrators in the Thai capital have barricaded themselves inside the government complex, and continue to accuse Samak of being no more than a figurehead for the ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and call for his resignation.

The campaign against the government appears to be spreading, as protests have forced the closure of three airports serving popular tourist destinations in the south of the country, and rail service has been disrupted throughout the kingdom.

A small number of riot police broke through the protesters’ barriers on Friday, and made their way onto the grounds of Government House, resulting in skirmishes breaking out when the police used their batons to prevent the angry mob from entering the compound, according to an AFP correspondent on the scene.

A spokesman for the national police, Major General Surapol Tuanthong, said the numbers of protesters in the crowd had grown and that over 25,000 were now in the compound. He added that no one had been arrested, but that two police officers had been hurt during the scuffle.

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