Bloodshed might be unavoidable : Chamlong

Anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) co-leader Chamlong Srimuang said bloodshed might be unavoidable.

The pro-government camp, led by former deputy national police chief General Salang Bunnag, yesterday said it would start blocking the supply of logistics for PAD inside Government House on Monday.

This camp hopes to be joined by more supporters if they can hold on until next Saturday, when convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra may address a major rally in Bangkok from his exile near London.

Social critic Prawase Wasi reminded the opposing sides they might trigger violence if one tried to dislodge the other from Government House.

"I don't approve of bickering that can end up with an outbreak of violence," he said.

He said opposing sides should continue to seek a negotiated settlement.

"It's all right to have differing political views, but this should not degenerate into violence," he said.

Meanwhile, Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said the country would plunge deeper into animosity and face greater economic damage if there were more bloody clashes.

Anti-coup protesters led by the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship have signalled their support for a Salang-led attempt to drive out the PAD from Government House.

PAD leader Pibhop Dhongchai demanded the government prevent Salang and his supporters from fomenting violence against PAD-led protesters.

He said police and soldiers must be deployed to prevent violence, especially during the royal cremation of the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

Pibhop said police and soldiers must handle security outside of Government House and that the PAD would take care of security inside.

However, Interior Minister Kowit Watana played down Salang's plan to besiege the compound.