Protesters cross swords

Pro and anti-Thaksin supporters nearly clashed yesterday in Lampang after Democrat MP and PAD co-leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon paid a visit to the province to meet his supporters.

About 150 police were quickly deployed at a local shopping mall in Lampang where the meeting took place with both sides engaging in heated verbal exchanges and finger-pointing. Many local shopkeepers closed their shops.

Somkiat was forced to delay going to the meeting place at Seri shopping mall in Lampang due to safety concerns after nearly 100 red-shirts marched there after learning through two local community radios that Somkiat was coming to town.

The red-shirt crowd managed to break through the barricade but was prevented by the police from physically clashing with the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters.

The red-shirts shouted: "Take back your Democrat Party and return us Thaksin!" They also used their foot-clappers to show their dissatisfaction with Somkiat, the PAD and the ruling Democrat Party.

Somkiat later told the press that it was his first visit to Lampang and the objective was to meet and exchange views with PAD supporters. He also planned to visit PAD supporters in Tak province's Mae Sot district. The Democrat MP cum PAD co-leader soon left driving a white car with no licence plate.

Meanwhile in Chiang Mai a group of red-shirts calling itself "Lovers of Chiang Mai 2008" declared a new era of anti-Democrat government protests. More than 100 of its members surrounded the Royal Lanna Hotel, where a senior Democrat was staying.

A small convoy, led by a truck mounted with loud speakers followed by some tuk-tuks and other small four-wheel taxis, went to the downtown hotel. The group was led by Kanyarat Maneejak.

Labour Minister Paitoon Kaewthong, who is also a senior Democrat and a member of the party's advisory council, was staying there to help a Democrat candidate, Kayan Vipromchai, to run in the upcoming snap election in Lampang.

Some 20 police officers were mobilised and barricades were set up in front of the hotel. The pro-Thaksin red-shirt group later learnt that Paitoon had checked out earlier so they eventually left without any incident.

The group leaders later told the locals that a new era of anti-government protests had begun. They said any Democrat Party member and PAD members will be chased away from Chiang Mai if they ever show up. Their announcement was also broadcast by a local community radio, FM 92.5.