ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

by Asiantribune | Political turbulence continues to rocks Thailand, as People’s Alliance For Democracy led by a group of disgruntled politicians who adopt extra-Parliamentary measures to bring down the elected government of Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Though the mob leaders managed to seize and closed down the international Suvarnabhumi Airport to prevent Thai prime minister returning the country after attending an Asia-Pacific summit in Lima, Peru, he however managed to arrive by diverting his plane to land in the northern city of Chiang Mai.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat condemned anti-government protesters on Wednesday, saying their protests and seizure of the temporary government seat and Suvarnabhumi airport have tremendously damaged the country.

Somchai was speaking in a special televised programme held at state-run television station in Chiang Mai.

Branding the protesters as "law breakers," Somchai vowed to bring back peace and prosperity destroyed by the protesters to the country.

Somchai also referred to a call of a situation monitoring panel under the Army for him to dissolve the House to end the political turmoil. The panel also suggested that the PAD to end the protests.

Insisting that his government has been elected by the people, he said his government will continue working for the sake of the country.

Somchai said he will chair a special cabinet meeting on Thursday to discuss ways and means to bring peace back to the country,

Earlier yesterday army chief Anupong Paochinda stepped in to try and end the spiraling political crisis, urging the prime minister to call fresh elections and demanding protesters end their siege of Suvarnabhumi Airport. He insisted he was not staging a coup which he believed would not end the political unrest.

"The only way out to end the crisis is the government should let the people decide. I think the government would consider the proposal seriously for the sake of the country," said Gen. Anupong.

"The prime minister should dissolve parliament and call a snap election," Gen Anupong said. "The prime minister should think about the benefit of the country, and so should the PAD," he said.

"We will not seize power from the government," said the army commander. "We are just making a suggestion and will let the government decide.

But he tempered the demand, just as he did a month ago when he also told Prime Minister Somchai Wongbsawat to step down.

The government on Wednesday rejected the "suggestion" by army chief Anupong Paojinda for the prime minister to resign.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) too gave a dismissive shrug to Gen Anupong's demand that they call back their protesters and reopen Suvarnabhumi.

Mr Somchai must resign, a PAD leader told cheering supporters inside the airport terminal.

The government "must quit first before we sit down and talk," he said.

In another development, the Bangkok-based Civil Court on Wednesday ordered the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy to leave Suvarnabhumi Airport immediately.

The court ruled the action of 13 defendants--PAD leaders--who convinced people to shut down the airport violated Constitution as their action infringed other people's right to travel freely.

In the meantime, countries around the globe yesterday issued warnings to their citizens about travelling to Thailand - a country the Philippines said was lacking in "political maturity."

The comment from President Gloria Arroyo's spokesman, Anthony Golez, was prompted by the seizure of Suvarnabhumi Airport by protesters.

China, France, New Zealand, Singapore, Britain, the United States, Australia and Japan warned through their websites of possible danger to their citizens.

The US Embassy advised Americans to stay away from the airport given the potential for violence and civil disobedience.

"American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations," it said.

The airport seizure would damage investment and tourism industry, US Ambassador Eric John said yesterday.

The Chinese Embassy warned on its website that Chinese citizens planning to visit Thailand should postpone their plans; while France's foreign affairs ministry suggested that French travelers booked to fly through Bangkok make alternative arrangements.

The New Zealand foreign affairs ministry advised stranded travellers to stay with other tourists, remain close to information counters and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

Similarly, Singapore said citizens without "a pressing need to travel" should postpone their trip.

Britain's Foreign Office issued an updated travel advisory telling Britons to keep abreast of a "very uncertain" political situation.

The Japanese foreign ministry urged its nationals to be cautious. In an alert posted on the ministry's website, it said people planning to visit or to stay in Thailand were advised to check flight information well beforehand.