Can't we all just get along?

Things are heating up in Bangkok again. Looks like the demonstration was diffused tonight, but who knows how things will play out in the weeks and months ahead.

The ugly days have not yet ended, I fear.

Bangkok Post story, dated May 31, 2008, is pasted in below since they have a strange habit of wiping out their web page content when shifting news into archives...


Riot police confront demonstrators

UPDATE: (BangkokPost.com) - Tension between several thousand anti-government protesters and rows of riot police appeared to ease just before dusk on Saturday, but demonstrators vowed they would not give up their street protest despite an order by the prime minister to disperse.

In a throwback to mass demonstrations of 2006, speakers led the crowd in chants of "Samak... ok pai" (Samak, get out).

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej ordered the week-old demonstration ended today. It appeared that would happen only by force, as the protesters vowed to remain on the street until they toppled Mr Samak's government.

Hundreds of police in riot helmets and shields confronted a line of protesters, and it was clear that trouble still was possible.

Most of several thousand police pulled back and took off their riot gear just before dusk. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) kept up a noisy street protest, while some PAD members faced off with a line of riot police across a five-metre barricade just behind the protest.

Ealier report:

(BangkokPost.com) - More than 200 riot police arrived at the Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Saturday afternoon and began forming skirmish lines opposite what appears to be 1,000 or more anti-government protesters, amid signs they would try to clear the streets.

Members of the People's Alliance for Democracy made lines behind a barricade about 10 metres away.

Police reinforcements were receiving helmets, shields and truncheons, but had no firearms in sight. Many in the PAD crowd had home-made plywood shields and indicated they would try to resist any police advance.

The police, all armed, came on 10 buses and stationed in front of the Education Ministry at 6.30pm.

Five PAD core leaders announced that they are ready to be arrested but the rallies would continue.

The protesters have blocked main Bangkok streets in the old city, or Rattanakosin area, for a week. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Saturday morning ordered the demonstration cleared by nightfall and a confrontation began to appear inevitable at 5pm Thailand time.