ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

By Asiantribune | A bomb exploded in the Government House and 47 protestors were injured. Reports revealed bombs also exploded in the Don Mueng Airport and at the ASTV stations under the control of the anti Government People’s Alliance for Democracy.

The first explosion occurred at 12:10 am, on Sunday. The bomb fell on the roof of a tent and fell onto the ground and exploded. PAD leaders said three of the protesters were seriously injured.

Two explosions were also heard at ASTV station on on Phra Athit road near the Chao Phraya River at 12:30 am Sunday morning, just around 20 minutes after the attack at Government House.

Two of the grenades, thought to be fired from an M-79 grenade launcher, were lobbed at the ASTV station the early hours. They missed and exploded in the river, PAD guards said.

Nobody was injured, but the attack caused fears for the safety of those operating the satellite TV channel, which has broadcast the PAD rallies and serves as a co-ordination centre for PAD supporters both inside and outside the country.

Later on at 3:55 am, a bomb exploded near a bunker made of tyres at the Don Mueang Airport. The explosion occurred at the main entrance to the passenger terminal.

The political situation could become more tense today when government supporters stage a mammoth rally in Bangkok as the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy protesters continue to hold hostage the city's two airports.

The pro-government Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship said yesterday that it would hold a massive rally at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Lan Kon Muang ground this afternoon with as many as 100,000 people expected to take part. The rally venue was scheduled for Sanam Luang but changed later.

Police yesterday increased their presence near Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which were seized last week by PAD protesters, but made no attempt to disperse them.

In the meantime, almost 100,000 foreign tourists are still unable to return home, but the number of passengers stranded by the closure of Suvarnabhumi airport may double or triple if the situation is prolonged.

U-tapao airport has been used as a gateway for sending foreign visitors home. As of yesterday afternoon, six flights had taken off. The flights will increase to 15 today and 48 tomorrow. Aircraft capacity is about 300 passengers per flight.

Asia Hotel, JW Marriott, Maenam Hotel and Centara Grand would serve as check-in venues. Airlines will announce hotels for their check-ins today. Imperial Queen's Park and Holiday Inn are on stand-by to accept passengers checking in for flights. Passengers would then be taken by bus to U-tapao.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said he is ready to hold talks with the anti-government protesters, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), to end the political crisis but there must not be any pre-condition for the talks.

Mr. Somchai told reporters at his residence in Chiang Mai that he has instructed the agencies concerned to return Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports using transparent measures.

He said the country is now suffering huge damage and is becoming isolated from the international community.