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BANGKOK: In the Thai capital, minor violence marked the fourth day of anti-government protests, with signs that the unrest may be spreading.
Thai police broke through barricades at Bangkok's Government House on Friday to deliver a court order demanding the dispersal of thousands of protesters entrenched there.
They were met by a 1,000-strong human chain, surrounding key People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders to prevent their arrest. Small clashes broke out when the police entered the area.
Protesters said they would not leave until Prime Minster Samak Sundaravej, whom they consider a puppet of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, resigns. About 15 people have been detained by the police.
The prime minister has been consistent with his non-violent approach, but as the demonstrations continue to gather momentum, it is unclear how he could quell the protests without force.
Both the military and the palace have stayed out of the conflict thus far, but analysts said some kind of intervention may be needed if a peaceful resolution is to be achieved.
Meanwhile, the crisis has been compounded by a railroad workers' strike, which PAD leaders have been quick to call a show of solidarity for their cause.
Service on rail lines connecting Bangkok with the rest of Thailand has been disrupted, highlighting worries that the prolonged instability is hurting the country's tourism sector.
A German tourist said: "We want to go to Chumporn, but our train is cancelled and now we must wait for a bus."
Almost two years after a military coup, Thailand is still grappling with prolonged political unrest and a sluggish economy. Thai stocks have plummeted 23 per cent since the protests began in May.
- CNA/so
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