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Bangkok under state of emergency Bangkok under state of emergency
(about 1 hour later)
Thailand's Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, has declared a state of emergency in the capital, Bangkok, after clashes left one person dead. Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok, after clashes left at least one person dead.
Dozens more were injured in the protests early on Tuesday. Dozens more were hurt in the fighting early on Tuesday.
Fighting broke out after supporters of Mr Samak pushed through police lines near Government House, occupied by the People's Alliance for Democracy. The clashes began after supporters of Mr Samak pushed through police lines near Government House, occupied by the People's Alliance for Democracy.
PAD supporters say the government is a front for the exiled former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.PAD supporters say the government is a front for the exiled former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
Earlier, they threatened to close more airports and urge unions to strike. "Because last night there was unrest affecting the peaceful law and order in the country and obstructing the democratic process, the government has declared a state of emergency, which will affect people's individual freedoms," an announcement on state radio said.
Three airports reopened on Sunday after being forced to close for two days by demonstrations, but rail services are still disrupted.
See a map of key protest areas in Bangkok See a map of key protest areas in Bangkok
An emergency debate in parliament failed to end the stalemate between Mr Samak's fragile coalition and his opponents. Mr Samak put the army commander, General Anupong Paojinda, in charge of enforcing the state of emergency in the capital. He now has special powers to:
  • detain and remove people from any location
  • deploy troops to help police maintain order
  • ban gatherings of more than five people
  • impose restrictions on media reports that could "undermine public security".
    • The PAD leader said protesters occupying the government's building had refused to move, despite the state of emergency.
    "There are not enough jails to put us all into," Chamlong Srimuang told thousands of PAD demonstrators.
    An emergency debate in parliament earlier failed to end the stalemate between Mr Samak's fragile coalition and his opponents.
    Troops deployedTroops deployed
    Overnight, thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings.Overnight, thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings.
    I am not afraid, but I am concerned about chaos in the nation Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisProfile: Samak Sundaravej
    Mr Samak was initially praised for his restraint in dealing with the protests, but he suddenly found his position weakened on Friday when the police pulled back and the triumphant protest leaders were left in control of the government complex.Mr Samak was initially praised for his restraint in dealing with the protests, but he suddenly found his position weakened on Friday when the police pulled back and the triumphant protest leaders were left in control of the government complex.
    Armed anti-government protesters retaliated against the onslaught The demonstrations in the capital remained relatively peaceful over the weekend, but early on Tuesday violent clashes broke out when hundreds of government supporters marched towards Government House, armed with sticks and clubs.
    The demonstrations in the capital remained relatively peaceful over the weekend, but on Monday evening violent clashes broke out when hundreds of government supporters marched towards Government House, armed with sticks and clubs.
    After pushing through a police line outside the compound, they fought with similarly armed PAD supporters. Gunfire was also reportedly fired in the melee.
    TV pictures showed a man lying motionless on the ground with a pool of blood around his head as well as dozens of injured afterwards.TV pictures showed a man lying motionless on the ground with a pool of blood around his head as well as dozens of injured afterwards.
    Dr Petchpong Kamjornkijjakarn of the Erawan Medical Centre said one person had died from severe head injuries and that four others were in a serious condition, two of whom had gunshot wounds.Dr Petchpong Kamjornkijjakarn of the Erawan Medical Centre said one person had died from severe head injuries and that four others were in a serious condition, two of whom had gunshot wounds.
    At least 31 others are being treated for injuries across the city.At least 31 others are being treated for injuries across the city.
    Mr Samak has now put the army commander General Anupong Paojinda in charge of enforcing the state of emergency in the capital. On Monday, public sector unions said they would begin a nationwide strike at 43 state enterprises on Wednesday unless the prime minister stepped down.
    Strike threat
    As the anti-government protests entered a seventh day on Monday, public sector unions said they would begin a nationwide strike at 43 state enterprises on Wednesday unless the prime minister stepped down.
    I am not afraid, but I am concerned about chaos in the nation Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisProfile: Samak Sundaravej
    The State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation also threatened to cut off water, electricity and phone service at government offices and disrupt flights.The State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation also threatened to cut off water, electricity and phone service at government offices and disrupt flights.
    "The government has beaten protesters, and that justifies our retaliating by stopping water, telephone service and electricity to some government agencies," said Sawit Kaewwan, the federation's secretary-general.
    The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says there appear to be very few ways out of this crisis.The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says there appear to be very few ways out of this crisis.
    KEY EVENTS Sept 2006: Bloodless coup by military sees PM Thaksin Shinawatra removed from officeApril 2007: New military-drafted constitution approvedDec 2007: General election won by People Power Party (PPP), seen as reincarnation of Thaksin's now banned Thai Rak Thai party Jan 2008: Samak Sundaravej chosen as PM Feb 2008: Thaksin returns from exileMay 2008: PAD protests against Samak beginJuly 2008: Thaksin goes on trial for corruption; his wife is found guilty of fraud. By mid-August the family has fled to the UKAugust 2008: PAD protests escalateKEY EVENTS Sept 2006: Bloodless coup by military sees PM Thaksin Shinawatra removed from officeApril 2007: New military-drafted constitution approvedDec 2007: General election won by People Power Party (PPP), seen as reincarnation of Thaksin's now banned Thai Rak Thai party Jan 2008: Samak Sundaravej chosen as PM Feb 2008: Thaksin returns from exileMay 2008: PAD protests against Samak beginJuly 2008: Thaksin goes on trial for corruption; his wife is found guilty of fraud. By mid-August the family has fled to the UKAugust 2008: PAD protests escalate
    The government retains strong rural support and would probably be re-elected if fresh polls were called - and the PAD does not support such elections, our correspondent says.The government retains strong rural support and would probably be re-elected if fresh polls were called - and the PAD does not support such elections, our correspondent says.
    Meanwhile, the revered King Bhumibol has also refused to intervene.Meanwhile, the revered King Bhumibol has also refused to intervene.
    The PAD - a loose grouping of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class - was formed in the months before Mr Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006. He has since fled the country to avoid facing trial over corruption charges.The PAD - a loose grouping of royalists, businessmen and the urban middle class - was formed in the months before Mr Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006. He has since fled the country to avoid facing trial over corruption charges.
    It has a passionate following in various parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite.It has a passionate following in various parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite.
    But it has little support in most of rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him.But it has little support in most of rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him.
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