PAD leaders consider change of tactics as order takes effect

People’s Alliance for Democracy co-leader Chamlong Srimuang tells his protesters yesterday not to let police tear down their tents at the rally site.

Chamlong Srimuang, a PAD leader, said the group might adopt the "spreading stars" tactic in its bid to achieve its goal of forcing the government out of office.

Initial discussions between the group's leaders settled on the plan being carried out in three or four days. The smaller groups will hold protests at state agencies that have failed to make much progress on issues that have been raised by the PAD.

"We'll walk there to tell the agencies they should speed up their work," Chamlong said.

He said the PAD had complied over the past three days with a Civil Court injunction granted to 10 teachers and students' parents from Rachawinit Secondary School who filed a case against six PAD leaders.

However, police yesterday said the PAD appeared to have misunderstood the court order.

Royal Thai Police deputy spokesman Maj-General Surapol Thuanthong said the court order that the PAD remove its blockade of Rama V and Phitsanulok roads meant the roads must be open to traffic at all times and not only between 7.30am and 4.30pm as assumed by the PAD.

"We won't negotiate any more. I ordered officers to take photos of the protest and its stage and belongings. We will use them as the evidence for the court," said deputy Metropolitan Police chief Maj-General Phanu Kerdlapphol.

The Civil Court on Monday issued an injunction ordering the six PAD leaders to stop their road blockade and refrain from using loudspeakers during the school hours of 7.30am to 4.30pm.

Chamlong yesterday said the court did not order a 24-hour road opening and that the PAD was ready to obey any future court orders.

"We do whatever the court tells us to. We respect the law," he said.

Shortly before noon, Chamlong asked if he could violate the court's ban on the use of loudspeakers. He told PAD supporters to protect the stage and tents at the rally site if authorities attempted to dismantle them. However, he urged the protesters not to use force or abusive words against police for fear of possible moves to disperse the rally.