BANGKOK – FOUR anti-government protest leaders loyal to exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra surrendered to the government on Tuesday after calling off a three-week siege of Government House, national police chief Pacharawat Wong
suwan told reporters.
The protest leaders, including Veera Musikapong, had led tens of thousands of Thaksin’s rural supporters in a blockade of the office of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to
demand that he step down and call a snap election.
The protest had culminated in a day of clashes with soldiers at a key road junction in Bangkok and the burning of dozens of hijacked public buses on Monday.
Earlier, national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan told reporters that protest organisers would be prosecuted for violating a state of emergency banning large gatherings.
‘The arrest warrants will be issued very soon on charges of illegal assembly of more than five people, which is banned under the emergency rule,’ he said.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared the state of emergency on Sunday to curb mass protests calling for his resignation which were staged by supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The protesters defied the order Monday, gathering across Bangkok and lobbying petrol bombs at troops who responded with volleys of automatic weapons fire and tear gas.
Protesters were forced to retreat to their main camp at Mr Abhisit’s offices.
Faced with the threat of a looming military crackdown, they agreed to disperse on Tuesday.
‘I have already informed the prime minister on the easing of the situation,’ Patcharawat said as the protesters abandoned their rallying point.
Army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said that protesters not involved in the violent street battles would be allowed to return home but that an unspecified number of ‘hardcore’ figures were being detained.
‘From now on, army and police will join forces with Bangkok (authorities) to guard 50 important areas in Bangkok and guarantee security, so that there will be no follow-up violence,’ he said. — REUTERS, AFP.
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