SONGKHLA: -- Thai and Malaysian police will take joint action to combat the cross-border the trade in involuntary sex workers between the two neighbouring nations.

Ninth Police Region commissioner Pol. Lt-Gen. Panya Tiensart presided over a joint seminar entitled ''Save Our Daughters'' in Songkhla to adopt joint measures for the Thai and Malaysian police to combat forced prostitution along the common border.

Areas where prostitution had intensified over the past several years included Betong, Sugai Kolok, Sadao and Hat Yai in Thailand as well as seven states inside Malaysia.

Protesters to be evicted from Government House before sunset

Government Spokesman Wichianchote Sukchotrat said Wednesday that protesters would be removed from Government House compound before sunset.

He was speaking to reporters at the Supreme Command at 5 pm.

He said thousands of 191 commando police and border patrol police would be deployed to force the protesters out of Government House.

He said police would first try to talk to the protesters to convince them to voluntarily leave the compound or else they would be forced out.

Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Anusorn Wongwan, discloses that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has asked all sides not to resort to the use of force against protestors from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) even should they break into state property.

The minister says the premier said during the Cabinet meeting yesterday that all ministers should not obstruct the protestors from entering into state buildings as he does not want to see clashes and violence.

Mr Anusorn says his ministry is not one of PAD’s targets although it is located near the group’s base at Makhawan Rangsan Bridge.

-- Govt. Public Relations Dept. 2008-08-27

The Deputy Royal Thai Police Commissioner General is inspecting damage at the National Broadcasting Television (NBT) compound caused by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters during a riot yesterday (August 26).

Pol. Gen. Chongrak Chutanon reports that officers have apprehended 85 suspects, and seized an additional 5 unregistered firearms. Police found that several protesters were armed with flag poles with sharpened ends, machetes, knives, slingshots with metal pellets, brass knuckles, golf clubs, and hatchets. Kratom leaves, which are class - 5 narcotics were also seized from protesters.

The Deputy Royal Thai Police Commissioner General conducted a meeting of investigative personnel to determine the owner of each weapons in order to file charges against them. Police were able to levy 5 additional charges on suspects, including civil disturbance, trespassing on government property, possession of firearms without permission, possession of radio sets without permission, possession of weapons in public, and possession of class - 5 narcotics.

The Criminal Court has approved the police request to issue warrants to arrest the PAD leaders on charges relating to the Tuesday's unruly protests. The warrants were out in the early afternoon of Wednesday.

As soon as receiving the news on the warrants, PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang walked to sit among the crowds on the lawn of Government House to await his arrest.

Police are expected to apprehend about seven to eight core leaders.

-- The Nation 2008-08-27

BANGKOK: - People's Alliance for Democracy leader Chamlong Srimuang on Wednesday announced that he received public contributions amounting to Bt6.6 million and gold weighed 80 baht worth more than Bt1 million.

The contributions were solicited in the past six days to finance the PAD-led protests and pay the staff of ASTV, the satellite television station which is the PAD's mouthpiece.

Chamlong said he had already designated a successor to handle the funds if he was arrested by police.

-- The Nation 2008-08-27

BANGKOK: - More than 70 per cent of the people condemned the People's Alliance for Democracy for its Tuesday's protest activities, Bangkok University Poll said on Wednesday.

Almost 73 per cent voiced disapproval for blockading main roads linking Bangkok to the North, the Northeast and the South.

About 71 per cent said they disagreed with the raid of the NBT station. And 68 per cent said they found it unacceptable to lay seige at Government House and ministries.

-- The Nation 2008-08-27

The People's Alliance for Democracy decided on Wednesday that its five leaders would not flee nor surrender to police if the Criminal Court approved the warrants to arrest them later this afternoon.

PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said he and his four colleagues would await for police to arrest them at the rally site inside the compound of Government House.

"Police can arrest us anytime as we will be at the Government House and will not use people as shield," he said.

-- The Nation 2008-08-27

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Criminal Court judges are now thrashing out a police petition to issue arrest warrants for the core leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who led protesters to seize Government House, several other government buildings and the state-run NBT television station.

Police submitted evidence, including video footage recorded the movements of the PAD supporters who stormed into key state establishments, for the court's consideration.

The five core PAD leaders are Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphop Thongchai, retired Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, and other three PAD leaders who led protesters in other locations, including Chiwat Sinsuwong, Amorn Amornrattananond and Terdphoom Jaidee.

The nine activists were charged with severe offences including rebellion, rebellious attempt, organising a gathering of 10 or more people to cause a public disturbance and refusing to obey police orders.

BANGKOK: -- Riot police took up positions early Wednesday around Thailand's main government compound, as authorities tried to negotiate an end to protests aimed at forcing Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign.

Scuffles between protesters camped out overnight and police reporting for duty led to a few minor injuries, deputy national police spokesman Major General Surapol Tuanthong told AFP, but insisted there would be no violence.

"They are not going to disperse the crowd -- we are trying to negotiate," Surapol said, adding that warrants for the arrest of key protest leaders were expected to be issued later Wednesday.

On Tuesday, up to 35,000 demonstrators seized a state-run television station, invaded the grounds of Government House and besieged at least three ministries, stepping up their campaign to bring down Samak's administration.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has been protesting since May, claims Samak is running the country on behalf of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is barred from holding office.

Economic experts: lingered confrontation results in economic despair

Office of the National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB) indicates persistent riots will seriously impact the Thai economy and damapen the investment atmosphere at the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). NESDB’s secretary-general, Mr. Amphon Kitiamphon also urges authorities to hurriedly end the confrontation.

At the same time, chairman of the International Real Estate Federation Manop Phongsathat views the incidents will create negative repercussions to Thailand's domestic economy and investments. He says the current riots will definitely scrap foreign investors’ confidence and they will be reluctant to plough their money into businesses in Thailand.

Despite the contracts signed, Mr. Manop adds that many projects from overseas investments may face a suspension and foreign investors may wish to observe the situation further before proceeding with businesses, especially scores of projects in the Bangkok metropolis.

Following the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)’s huge disturbance yesterday (August 26th), the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) Chairman, Mr. Santi Vilassakdanont , expresses his concern that the incident may hit Thailand’s image amongst global eyes and investors’ confidence may be scrapped once again.

In this connection, the Government and relevant parties are urged to quickly resolve the issue. Mr. Santi views that investments, especially in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), are very fragile and sensitive to political instability.

Mr. Santi adds however that investments in the manufacturing sector will receive fewer impacts from the political situations as Thailand is only recognized as a major production base and a large portion of its products are exported overseas. In this connection, investments in the export sector will likely be more affected by the movement of global oil prices and the global economy, rather than the nation's domestic political direction.

A financial expert from the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Mr. Montri Sokatiyanurak (มนตรี โสคติยานุรักษ์), expresses his concern that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)’s constant demonstrations may affect the tourism industry in the country.

Mr. Montri says the chaotic incidents yesterday have gloomed the atmosphere in the investment and consumption sectors, especially foreign investments as the riots reflected political uncertainty and unstable national security.

The high season of tourism in Thailand begins in the 4th quarter said Mr. Montri, but the nation may not enjoy lucrative growth due to riots in the Bangkok metropolis. He says a up to 8 percent of the national revenue is largely derived from the tourism segment. He says if demonstrations are ongoing, foreign tourists may delay their trip to Thailand.

The Government is advised to allocate additional budget to stimulate the economy in order to compensate for the costs of sluggish consumption and private investments, resulted from the recent political incident.

Mr. Montri expresses his confidence that the Thai economy in the meantime has been in great shape, especially the figure of export segment and Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)’s investment. He says greater cash inflows will be seen in the Thai economy system once peace is restored.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 August 2008

Following a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader meeting lasting 1 and a half hours this morning, Major General Chamlong Srimuang emerged to the mass rally to reveal a second string of leaders to take his and the 4 other leaders' place in the event of their arrest.

The second string of leaders revealed were Secretary-General of the Government Agents Union Sawit Kaew-wahn, Mr. Sirichai Mai-ngam and Mr. Sumran Rodpetch. Major General Chamlong stated that he and his fellow PAD leaders would await their arrests at the Government House.

The leader also threatened authorities that if they did not open the Government house's toiletry facilities for use by the PAD, demonstrators would turn to the grounds' greenery.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 August 2008

BANGKOK: - Loiluen Bunnag, deputy secretary general of the premier said his official will field the complain with the court at 1pm. He said the protesters have caused damages to the Government House which is an official venue.

It is not unclear whether he will seek compensation from the protesters.

-- The Nation 2008-08-27

BANGKOK: -- Police on Wednesday played down the fear for chaos triggered by the People's Alliance for Democracy-led protests.

"It is expected that the PAD-led protesters would not break any laws today nor try to provoke the authorities," police deputy spokesman Maj General Suraphol Thuanthong said.

Suraphol said police would work in accordance with prescribed procedures in order to clear protesters from the grounds of Government House.

Police will today seek the court approval to issue the arrest warrants for the five PAD leaders and will see to it for protesters to gradually moving out of the government compound, he said.

-- The Nation 2008-08-27

National Police Commander, Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan has ordered investigative officers to expedite their efforts in acquiring arrest warrants for the People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) leaders and demonstrators. He said that the entire rally is illegal as it is a gathering of more than 10 people with the intent to overthrow the government as well as causing public disturbance. The police commander admitted that the Secretary-General of the Prime Minister's Office may seek a court injunction to bar the PAD from the area.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Police General Kowit Watana, who is also a high ranking police officer is set to attend a meeting to follow the situation at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters today.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 August 2008

Deputy spokesman for the National Police, Police Major General Surapol Tuanthong revealed that there are still some 18,000 People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters stationed at the Government House. The protesters have been in the area since the mass rally began yesterday and have continually tried to impeded government work by closing off entrances. The deputy spokesman said that their demonstration tactic resembles that of the Makkhawan bridge rally but said that it has been deemed illegal as it is not on a public road.

Police have rotated shifts and beefed up presence in the area to affirm their grasp on the rally and they have done their best to make sure the protest remains in order. Police Major General Surapol said that all police have been instructed to monitor the rally in a peaceful manner as to not escalate the situation.

(BangkokPost.com) - Government spokesman Wichienchote Sukchotirat said Tuesday government officials will be able to go back to work on Wednesday.

"Government House will open for business no later than Wednesday and everything will be backed to normal in 24 hours," he said in the evening.

His statement came despite the fact that thousands of anti-government protesters besieged the government compound in the afternoon and declared that they would not leave until the cabinet is toppled.

Pol Lt Gen Wichienchote denied to say how the government will take control of the situation, saying that the government would like to keep it confidential.

He also said that Prime Minister Samak will not introduce emergency decree to quell unrest, saying that the premier believes that protesters would understand the situation better and would leave the rally sites.

-- Bangkok Post 2008-08-26