Somchai says police action met international standard

Somchai said the police actions could be judged by whether they used violence or non-violence.

The premier said as long as there was an attempt on the part of the protesters to storm or seize Parliament, the police had used tear gas to control the situation in keeping with international standards, he said.

"The protesters did not rally without weapons as the police were shot and stabbed," he said. However, the government was still trying to mend fences and the door to achieve reconciliation was not shut.

The crackdown on Tuesday left two people dead and injured some 400 other protesters.

Somchai started the day after the crackdown by meeting diplomatic corps at the Foreign Ministry. But he only had a sip of coffee when he had to rush to leave the ministry following information from police that the PAD were about to surround the ministry and rally there.

Somchai yesterday tried to reconcile people in the conflict. He visited the police and later some PAD members who were injured in the crackdown.

The premier visited injured policemen at Police Hospital. He also gave cash and apologised to the patients.

"I'm sorry for what happened and I thank all of you for your sacrifice to maintain order and enable the government to complete its policy announcement. I'm proud of you. You are all heroes," Somchai said to the injured policemen.

During his visit to the hospital, a lone woman protester armed with a hand-clapper, shouted "tyrant" at Somchai. His guards ushered the prime minister into the intensive care unit, away from the woman.

Later Somchai visited injured policemen and protesters at the King Mongkut Hospital.

"I'm worried about your injuries. I don't want to harbour us-and-them attitude towards protesters. We might have different ideas but we are Thais. We are sorry [to see they got hurt] I wish all to recover soon. All people are equally important for me. What happened is merely a difference of view. That's no problem," Somchai spoke southern dialect to the PAD patients.

Somchai said sorry to Suchon Sukpitak, an injured protester from Pattani.

Somchai told Suchon that he is also a native of the South so they should love each other.

One of the premier's guards asked Suchon's wife to take a picture with the Prime Minister but she refused and said she feared that her husband might punch the PM in the face.

However, after the premier left they said they would continue their protest and as soon as they recover they would join the rally.

The prime minister carried on with his official duties. He called a special Cabinet meeting, the first after Tuesday's policy announcement, at his Don Mueang Airport office.

Somchai did not stay at his home since Tuesday night amid speculation the PAD might besiege his house in Chaeng Wattana. However, security was beefed up at his residence. The premier changed his car from a Volkswagen van to his daughter's Mercedes Benz.