More protests expected in Bangkok

Updated June 20, 2008 11:04:19

More protests are expected today against the government of Thai prime minister Samak Sundaravej. [Reuters]

Bangkok is bracing itself for more protests.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is under pressure after a month of persistent street protests, which got a boost this week when Thailand's most powerful unions gave their backing to the rallies.

The opposition Democrat Party has also lodged a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister, and there are fears of more protests by farmers and truck drivers over rising energy costs.

Another opposition party, The People's Alliance for Democracy, has called on its supporters to rally on Friday and police are on high alert.

The PAD is angry at the government's handling of the economy, oil deals with Cambodia and negotiation on the Preah Vihear Temple.

Ong-Art Khlampaibul, the spokesman for the Democratic Party, told Radio Australia's Connect Asia program the new government is already a failure.

"We think that the government cannot run the country very well it [doesn't have] enough ability to work, it cannot solve the economic crisis and now we have more," he said.

"It is our nation's problem, it is our people's problem, it's not our political party's or democratic party's problem only."

Despite the protest Mr Ong-Art does not expect another coup.

"I don't think it will end in a coup again of course because we just had one two years ago but personally it is not easy to happen again, and it should not happen again," he said.

He says the Democrats don't want to eject the government, simply to force them to to their job properly.