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BANGKOK : The standoff continues in Bangkok where Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency.
The Thai premier has refused to quit or dissolve parliament, while protesters are staying put and gearing up for a fight.
One man died and four others were critically injured when pro- and anti-government protesters clashed on Monday in the Thai capital. The escalating violence led the prime minister to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok.
The anti-government group - People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - said PM Samak's close ties with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is wanted in the kingdom on corruption charges, make him unfit to rule.
"I chose the gentlest way available to me to end this problem lawfully - by declaring the state of emergency only in Bangkok," said PM Samak.
Pubic gatherings of more than five are banned and the army is officially in charge, though no curfew is in effect.
But at the site of the protests, there was even less of a police presence than one week ago. Declaring a state of emergency has had little effect on the PAD protesters at the Government House as their occupation there entered its seventh day.
PAD protesters said the state of emergency has simply strengthened their resolve, and it will take the Thai Army a lot of effort to try to evict the tens of thousands of people gathered there without using force.
"I'm not afraid. I'm even more eager to take part in these protests now, because the strength of people power is the most important thing. Otherwise, everything we've done up until now will be in vain," said a protester.
But many in Bangkok felt the protests have gone too far. "I wish the PAD would surrender to the government. I want them to listen to the government's reasoning," said one Bangkok resident.
Another agreed: "Declaring a state of emergency is appropriate. Personally as a Thai, I feel the country has been damaged badly. Actually, I've never agreed with the PAD."
PM Samak said that the state of emergency will last only a few days, but questions remain as to how and when the protesters will be dispersed. - CNA /ls
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