Riot police get tough with Thai protesters

Buenos Aires News.Net
Friday 29th August, 2008

Thai riot police have shot tear gas into the occupied compound of the Prime Minister's office in an effort to evict anti-Government protesters.

Before firing the gas, police read a court order to the thousands of demonstrators calling for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation.

The protesters have occupied the Government compound since Tuesday.

The Thai riot police had to climb into the occupied compound to deliver the order, causing scuffles to break out between the police and sentries posted by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

At least 15 protesters were arrested and the police reportedly forced open one padlocked gate into the compound.

The PAD, whose 2005 protests against then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra contributed to his removal in a coup a year later, have vowed to remain inside the Government House compound until the current elected administration falls.

The group says Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is an illegitimate proxy for Mr Thaksin.

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