Thailand's deputy PM resigns over protests

Updated October 7, 2008 22:36:24

Thailand's recently appointed deputy prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has resigned, in the wake of violent clashes this morning between pro democracy protests and riot police. The deputy PM who was charged with negotiating a peace deal with the demonstrators has accepted responsibility for the clashes which left more than 80 people injured, saying it wasn't what he intended. Tear gas and smoke bombs were used to try to disperse the crowd who tried to take over the national parliament building ahead of a key government address.

Presenter: Karen Percy

PERCY : The sun was barely up when hundreds of riot police advanced on parliament house. Thai television broadcast live as the police tried to clear away the thousands of anti-government protesters camped outside the compound since last night. The protestors wanted to prevent the government from announcing its new policies

VOX POP: We are sitting, singing a song and suddenly police shooting and tear gas, I think tear gas but very harmless, I think it is a metal shell, a lot of them 20 and 30 at the same time and a lot of people go down.

PERCY: Are you frightened, given the police are now acting?

VOX POP: A little bit, but I am angry because I cannot do something back because we are not fighting that way, so we have to sit and sometimes we are running.

PERCY: But do you understand you are breaking the law, its been many weeks the PAD have been taking over parliament house.

VOX POP: Yes I understand that, but we are here fighting for our rights and the Thailand people's rights

PERCY: The young man shows me a photo he's been sent on his mobile phone.

FX: Some one sent you a photo on your mobile phone, a young man, his foot's been blown off.

FX WOMAN

PERCY : This woman tells me that she saw smoke and heard a boom noise, and then she ducked to cover herself from being affected by the tear gas. She demonstrates by putting on an umbrella hat which is draped with plastic sheeting. She shows me how she put a scarf over her mouth as well. People were wary that another tear gas attack might come at any time. They wore motorcycle goggles,scuba masks swimming goggles, sunglasses, face masks, anything that might prevent the stinging gas from getting into their eyes. The man on the loudspeaker, asked them if they were afraid. No they say, we're not scared.
These protesters belong to the people's alliance for democracy or the P-A-D, a Bangkok-based movement made up of the middle classes, academics, unionists and some business people. A banner hanging on their truck right outside the parliament gates, is a mock wanted sign with large images of the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman. It says they are wanted for crimes against the Thai kingdom. Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup two years ago. Earlier this year he fled a corruption trial. In recent days, he's applied for political asylum in England. The protesters say he still effectively runs thailand, through his brother in law, the Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat. Their anti-government campaign first took to the streets in late May. Then, exactly six weeks ago, thousands stormed government house. That protest continues just a few blocks away. Until now the government had tried to work around the protesters, shifting the prime minister's office from government house to the domestic airport. But today's events reflects a troubling shift. There is the possibility that a state of emergency will be declared again. Last time, the army refused to move against the protesters. But the new prime minister, despite his softly spoken demeanour is showing a new determination. Somchai Wongsawat skirted the protesters today to deliver his policy speech to parliament. Just last week he seemed to want to negotiate an end to the crisis. But since then, two of the leaders of the people's alliance for democracy have been arrested on insurrection charges. They could face the death penalty. None of this bode's well for Thailand's international reputation. The tourism industry already experienced a dramatic drop in bookings when the P-A-D attacked airports last month. Investment is softening as well and neither side seems to be backing down from the fight.