PM issues his last warning to protesters, his patience running out

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej appeared on the live broadcast at 3.00 pm on Tuesday issuing a stern warning for protesters to disperse before authorities starting to enforce the law to restore peace and social order.

Samak said he will not allow five or six protest leaders, who he sees as a street gang, to bring down his government.

"Police will soon starting to enforce the law to clear road blockade at various points in Bangkok and upcountry and evict protesters from government installations, including Government House," he said.

Police will act in accordance with prescribed steps to deal with protesters and soldiers will step in if deemed necessary; there is no way that a handful of people could oust the elected government of 63 million people, he said.

Since morning, protests are no longer peaceful and unarmed as claimed and this is evident from the raid of the NBT station, he said.

He reminded his opponents that he was close to running out of his patience, saying that the government has yet to invoke many security laws and anti-riot measures to disperse the crowds.

The government has appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Wattana to take charge of restoring normalcy, he said. Kowit would have a full mandate to supervise the police and interior measures.

The prime minister thanked Bangkok residents for refusing to support the protests and called on villagers supporting the People's Alliance for Democracy to reconsider their stand.

He urged the media to provide a cautious coverage in order to avoid inflaming the situation.

He called on PAD supporters to reflect on their stand, arguing that there is no justification to oust the elected government by inciting riots.

The Nation