Storm brews as PAD bolsters mission to bring down govt

Chamlong Srimuang and Chaiwat Sinsuwong were released on bail on Thursday, while Sonthi Limtrongkul and six other leaders were bailed out yesterday.

Their mission is to continue pressuring the government to step down and pushing for a controversial political reform.

But critics have also lashed out at the PAD over last Tuesday's siege of Parliament when Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was about to deliver his policy statement before starting his official duty.

The antigovernment movement turned bloody when police attempted to disperse protesters to open the way for the premier to enter the Parliament building.

Use of tear gas as well as the presence of "ping pong" bombs and other explosives were blamed for two deaths and hundreds of injuries, including protesters lossing their limbs.

In a bid to continue their fight, the PAD has announced its plan to mobilise the masses to protest against the bloody October 7 crackdown at the national police headquarters on Monday.

On October 7, it was widely said the PAD wanted to pressure the military to stage another coup to overthrow the government.

Charueyporn Toranin, the permanent secretary for education, was quoted as saying that some PAD elements had thrown several fire-bombs into the compound of the Education Ministry on Rajdamnern Avenue on Tuesday night.

She suspected the move was aimed at causing fire and damage to state property in a bid to prompt the military to take action again.

However, General Anupong Paochinda, the army chief, said the military is "neutral" in the ongoing conflict between the government and protesters.

He repeated his statement that staging another coup is no solution to the political impasse as it is deeply rooted in the conflict between anti-Thaksin Shinwatra and pro-Thaksin camps.

The PAD started to hold its first rallies to overthrow the Thaksin government in January 2006, leading to the subsequent coup in September 2006.

That coup was not a complete success as allies of ousted premier Thaksin managed to return to power in the following general election late last year.

Samak Sundaravej became prime minister and subsequently faced a fate similar to that of Thaksin as the former was seen as running the country on Thaksin's behalf.

On September 9, Samak was stripped of the premiership by the Constitutional Court for accepting payment for hosting a television cookery show.

Prior to the court's historic ruling, the PAD also laid siege to PM Samak's Government House on August 26, which protesters continue to occupy.

PM Somchai, who is a brother-inlaw of ousted premier Thaksin, currently works from a temporary office of Government House at Don Muang airport.

Given the prevailing conditions, PM Somchai has found it tough to govern as he often met groups of protesters while visiting certain public places.

As for the PAD, the unfinished business is to bring down another proxy administration of former premier Thaksin, who is now seeking asylum in the UK.

The atmosphere is now a little calmer, but another big storm is probably in the offing.