BANGKOK—Tensions have turned up a notch in Thailand’s political crisis that is threatening to bring down the government. As of 5:00 p.m. August 28, Thailand time, police were lined outside the rear gates of Government House, Thailand’s White House, which protesters have occupied for the past two days.
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the group leading the protest, has issued Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej a deadline of Sunday Aug. 31 to step down.
On Wednesday, arrest warrants were issued for nine top members of the PAD on four charges including treason. The Civil Court also issued an injunction, filed by the Prime Minister’s Office, ordering protesters to vacate Government House, which the PAD is appealing. While that challenge is in the courts so are orders that would set up the apparatus to give the police the go ahead to disperse the crowd with violence.
Nonetheless, the PM’s current stance is that he will not seek to disband the rally by use of force.
PAD leaders have also repeatedly promised not to use violence. Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the core leaders, said he wouldn’t use rally members as a shield to avoid arrest
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the group leading the protest, has issued Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej a deadline of Sunday Aug. 31 to step down.
On Wednesday, arrest warrants were issued for nine top members of the PAD on four charges including treason. The Civil Court also issued an injunction, filed by the Prime Minister’s Office, ordering protesters to vacate Government House, which the PAD is appealing. While that challenge is in the courts so are orders that would set up the apparatus to give the police the go ahead to disperse the crowd with violence.
Nonetheless, the PM’s current stance is that he will not seek to disband the rally by use of force.
PAD leaders have also repeatedly promised not to use violence. Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the core leaders, said he wouldn’t use rally members as a shield to avoid arrest
