Police chief removed

Phatcharawat was moved to the Prime Minister's Office, apparently for not acting to prevent the disorder created by protesters in the capital and resisting the government's instruction to clear Suvarnnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

His place has been taken on a caretaker basis by the police inspector-general, General Prateep Tanprasert. Prateep was a senior classmate of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Police Academy.

Phatcharawat's removal came less then 24 hours after the police were tasked with leading state-of-emergency operations to dislodge anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters from the two airports.

Inevitably, his removal revived rumours about a military coup, as speculation revolved around whether Anupong would be the next transfer target.

The Army has shown reluctance to be engaged in any drastic action against the protesters. According to the declaration of the state of emergency covering the airports, the Army's role is very limited in its implementation.

Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua, speaking to reporters, confirmed the police chief's removal.

Phatcharawat became national police commissioner during the Samak Sundaravej government. Known for his anti-Thaksin stand, he was one of the political focuses during the October 7 bloodbath.

He was reportedly left out of the decision-making process when the government decided to use drastic action against PAD protesters when they marched from Government House to Parliament.

Phatcharawat joined Anupong and the other armed-forces leaders when they went on television to deplore the deaths and injuries that occurred on October 7. During the TV appearance, Anupong called on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to "show responsibility" for the day's events.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police and First Police Region commands under the supervision of Interior Minister Kowit Watana yesterday engaged in psychological warfare against the protesters, distributing leaflets, short messages via cellphone and warnings by megaphone to inform them that the seizure of the airports was against the law.

Metropolitan Police chief Lt-General Suchart Muankaew said he would set up a negotiation team with assistance from a Special Forces unit. The police issued a statement asking protesters to leave the airports immediately.

Navy commander Admiral Kamthorn Pumhiran joined a meeting with Kowit and the police to map out the action plan yesterday, while Anupong and Air Force commander Air Chief Marshal Ithiporn Supawong sent representatives to the meeting.

The PAD said they would not negotiate with the police and would vacate the airports only after the prime minister resigned.

They were not contacted by any police negotiating team, said PAD co-leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon.

Police were seen yesterday moving heavily armed officers to block all roads to Suvarnnabhumi Airport.

The Civil Court, meanwhile, rejected the PAD's appeal to continue their occupation of the two airports.

Pro-government groups threatened to crack down on the PAD themselves unless the police cleared their rivals from the airports by last night.

Meanwhile, the Constitution Court yesterday set a Tuesday deadline for its acceptance of closing statements from the three ruling coalition parties - People Power, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya - involved in the party-dissolution case.

The court is expected to rule soon, perhaps as early as Wednesday, to dissolve the parties, automatically ending the Somchai administration.