PAD to quit Government House

In a surprising move, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) ended its three-month protest at Government House yesterday.

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang told anti-government protesters to abandon the compound and gather at either Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi airports.

He said the PAD needed to clear all its blockade of the nearby roads and allow the areas to be cleaned up ahead of His Majesty the King's birthday on Friday.

Chamlong earlier cited safety reasons for the end of Government House occupation. He said that it would be safer for protesters to gather at either of the city's two airports, which the PAD has occupied since last Tuesday.

"I will lead you to continue the rally against the government at either of the airports. We will abandon Government House. PAD's guards have been told to supervise moving of the equipment and tents to the new rally sites," Chamlong said.

General Panthep Supanartnurak, a PAD adviser on security matters, said the move was because of the official celebrations of His Majesty the King's birthday. And with road blockade removed, it would be difficult to ensure reasonable safety for the protesters, he said.

"So we agreed to move the rally site and evacuate Government House," he said.

PAD started the siege of Government House on August 26, forcing prime ministers Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat to work from somewhere else, including the Supreme Command office. Somchai, who became PM late in October, has never worked at Government House.

Chamlong said yesterday that Government House was no longer secure as it risked being attacked by pro-government supporters.

"I have already alerted police about the insecurity and dangers to protesters at Government House, but they have done nothing," he said.

Security and protection at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports are much better.

Some protesters said they would continue their protest there and would not move to the new site.

"It is up to you if you want to stay here, but I will not guarantee your security. I don't want you to die here," Chamlong said.

There would be no protesters but PAD's guards staying overnight at Government House. The move will mean the end of live broadcast of ASTV at Government House.

PAD provided many vehicles, including six-wheeled trucks, vans and pickups for protesters who wanted to go to the airports.

Protesters began collecting their belongings, such as TV sets and electric fans, yesterday in preparation for the relocation. Protest leaders announced there would be no live broadcast from Government House.

Meanwhile, bomb squads, National Human Rights Commission, related agencies and media members would inspect the Government House after the PAD ended its occupation of the complex.

Cabinet deputy secretary-general (civil servant side) Loyleun Bunnag commented that the officials then engaged in talks with the PAD because the demonstrators wanted the officials to drop charges.

As PAD guards yesterday afternoon brought 20 trucks to transport people out of the complex, move their belongings and dismantle tents, the officials would wait for them to finish that before police seal the place to make way for damage inspection.

"We have not set the date for such an inspection yet. When the PAD moves out, bomb squads, the National Human Rights Commission, related agencies and media members will inspect the damage together," he said.

He added that the damages might take some amount of time and a lot of money for repairs.