Tensions escalate in Thailand

Tensions have escalated in Thailand on 29 August 2008. In the early afternoon, anti-riot police officers stormed the Government House to deliver a court order demanding that the protesters leave the premises; however, protesters refused to leave and became defiant against the police officers. Reports indicated that the officers used batons and shields to prevent the protesters from re-entering some locations. In addition, a human shield with more than 1,000 individuals surrounded key People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) members who have had arrest warrants issued for them. Three airports -- Phuket International Airport (VTSP/HKT); Hat Yai International Airport (VTSS/HDY) and Krabi Airport (VTSG/KBV) -- halted operations indefinitely on 29 August, canceling all flights in and out of the facilities, after hundreds of protesters stormed the runways and blocked the entrances and exits at each of the facilities. The closures have stranded thousands of passengers, as these locations are major tourist destinations in Thailand. Negotiations with local government officials are currently underway. Meanwhile in Bangkok, protesters have regained ground in the Government House, as well as surrounding areas, including from the Royal Plaza to the Makawan Rangsan Bridge, where the PAD have been protesting since early 2008. At approximately 1845 local time, more than 2,000 violent protesters stormed the Thai Police Headquarters in Bangkok, demanding that those involved in the earlier violence at the Government House reveal themselves. Police officers fired tear gas into the crowd after gunfire was heard. The use of tear gas has incited further participation in the protests, and currently more than 1,000 police officers are trying to keep the protesters from overtaking the compound. Protesters are allegedly throwing rocks at police officers and vandalizing police vehicles. In a new development, protesters were seen heading toward the National Broadcasting Television (NBT) facility during the evening hours of 29 August, after reports indicated that the NBT would serve as a hub for both government television and radio circulation. PAD protesters attacked the same building on 26 August. Reports indicate that the majority of personnel have vacated the premises after hearing that protests were possible at the facility. Furthermore, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's (EGAT) labor union has stated that approximately 500 of its employees will join with the PAD in protest, with potential power cuts possible. However, the EGAT management stated that any power outages would not affect the majority of the public. In relation to the violence that occurred during the day in Bangkok, the Thai Airways International Labor Union stated on 29 August that 15,000 unionists will go on immediate strike and 25,000 will follow should the violence continue. The State Railway Authority of Thailand (SRT) has halted all services on 29 August in alignment with the PAD. SRT union officials had earlier stated that all trains in service would leave their main stations and halt operations at the first "sub-stations," which in turn would block all corresponding routes, halting services nationwide for the entire day. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, the prime target of the PAD protests, has canceled his diplomatic trip to Japan, which was scheduled to take place between 2-4 September.