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 28 August 2008 06:26 BST

Olympic torch arrives in Thailand as global tour continues

Friday, 18 Apr 2008 09:23
Protests have followed the Olympic torch
The Olympic torch has arrived in Thailand as it continues its journey from Athens to Beijing.

The torch arrived in Thailand last night from India, where almost 200 protestors were arrested during the relay through Delhi.

The Olympic flame has attracted widespread demonstrations wherever it has gone, with protestors using the occasion to demonstrate against China's human rights record and its recent handling of unrest in Tibet.

The torch is travelling through 22 countries before arriving in Beijing for the opening ceremony of the Olympics on August 8th.

Reports claim Thai officials have threatened to deport any foreigners who attempt to disrupt Saturday's relay.

Thailand will however not shorten the torch's proposed route, a measure introduced in a number of the previous countries it has visited, to avoid protests.

"There is no reason to disturb the ceremony. This is purely a sporting issue. On Saturday, we will fulfil the 10km (six-mile) run," Thailand's prime minister Samak Sundaravej told reporters.

"I have instructed the authorities to implement decisive measures (against disruptive protesters)," he added.

There was further bad news for Olympic chiefs today as a Buddhist temple set to host the ceremony to begin the relay's Japanese leg withdrew.

The AFP news agency quoted a local Japanese government official as saying the temple in Nagano would not be hosting the starting ceremony over concerns for the situation in Tibet.End of story


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