Standoff after mass protests in Bangkok
Wednesday, 27 Aug 2008 14:40
Riot police in Thailand surround seat of country's government after protestors storm prime minister's compound
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Riot police in Thailand have surrounded the seat of the country's government after thousands of protestors stormed the prime minister's compound.
Up to 17,000 activists from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) took to the streets yesterday in the culmination of months of protests against Samak Sundaravej's government.
But after he refused to resign the demonstrators camped out at Bangkok's government house.
Minor scuffles broke out between the police and protestors overnight but the demonstration has been largely peaceful.
According to the country's army television station the Thai interior minister entered the compound last night to negotiate with PAD leaders.
The popular protest group claim Mr Samak is allowing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to rule the country in exile.
In their largest show of strength so far, the anti-government group forced the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) off air on Tuesday before storming the government's finance, agriculture and transport ministries.
Mr Samak was then forced to leave his office after they gained entry to his prime ministerial compound.
In a statement delivered once NBT was able to resume broadcasting he insisted he would remain in office.
"I will not resign, I will stay to protect this country," Mr Samak said.