PAD denies blame for Govt House

He also warned Government House officials yesterday "not to exploit" the situation by framing PAD members for damage to some of their offices.

Suriyasai claimed it was likely the work of burglars who exploited the opportunity to steal goods and vandalise the place. He said the PAD had not touched the two main buildings - Santimaitree and Thai Khu Fah - reflecting their sincerity in not stealing any items. If they had wanted to plunder, they would have targeted the two main buildings.

 Suriyasai also claimed the besieged airports were able to reopen quickly because the occupying protesters had caused no damage.

He admitted that the community as a whole had suffered an economic loss, but it was "incomparable" to the loss of seven lives and 700 injuries among the PAD supporters.

 Deputy police chief Jongrak Juttanond said it would be hard to prosecute PAD leaders unless there were concrete proof they were accomplices to crime at Government House.

Jonrak warned, however, that anyone found guilty of stealing from or vandalising Government House could face up to five years' imprisonment.