Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Thai Gen. Demands Elections After Explosions

Hey denies move amounts to coup

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 26, 2008 3:20 AM CST

(Newser) – Following a second explosion at a Bangkok airport seized by protesters, Thailand's top general today demanded that parliament be dissolved and new elections held. Gen Anupong Paochinda denied the move amounted to a coup, and insisted the government was still in control. He also ordered protesters to leave Bangkok's international airport. The location of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was uncertain. He was supposed to land back in Thailand today following an international summit.

"The government still has full authority," said Anupong, head of Thailand's powerful army. "These points are the way to solve the problem which has plunged the country into a deep crisis. If a coup could end all the troubles, I would do it." Anti-government protesters have called the airport seizures part of their "final battle" to topple Simchai.

Stranded Western tourists use baggage holders to relax today at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Thailand.
Stranded Western tourists use baggage holders to relax today at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Thailand.   (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
Anti-government protesters sleep at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok early today.
Anti-government protesters sleep at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok early today.   (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
An anti-government protester is helped after being injured by a bomb thrown into a crowd by an unidentified man at Suvarnabhumi airport early today.
An anti-government protester is helped after being injured by a bomb thrown into a crowd by an unidentified man at Suvarnabhumi airport early today.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
An anti-government protester is helped after being injured by a bomb thrown into a crowd by an unidentified man at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok early today.
An anti-government protester is helped after being injured by a bomb thrown into a crowd by an unidentified man at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok early today.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Protesters in Thailand's capital of Bangkok take to the streets and occupy the international airport.   (AssociatedPress)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

The airport is just a scene of chaos. Communication has basically broken down. Passengers are feeling very intimidated seeing people walking by with masks, knives, wooden clubs and iron bars. - John Watson of Deithelm Travel Group

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Nov 30, 2008 9:43 PM CST
Urgent appeal to maintain the Democracy of Thailand without undue undemocratic influence from non-elected elite and bureaucrats. We would like to urgently ask for international cooperation to prevent a civil war in Thailand. We want fair play for the elected government. The current protests by the PAD are not a popular uprising by the people. The PAD proclaim themselves as People's Alliance for Democracy, yet their aim is to oust a government elected by what has been called the fairest and most closely supervised elections ever held in Thailand. Under the guise of free speech and the right to protest the PAD is interfering with government operation and now they blockade the airports. In no Western country would this be tolerated under the guise of democracy. The PAD promotes a new constitution that takes away voting rights from the people. The PAD claim to be a popular movement, yet they are actually paying people to participate. Now they are calling on the participants to bring their children to the protests, yet at the same time threaten violence. Isn't that a flagrant violation of human rights? The current government tried to avoid a heavy handed approach to deal with the PAD during the occupation of the government house, but with the occupation of the airports the situation for Thailand and countries around the world has become unbearable. The orders by the government to the police and military to remove the protesters are not carried out. The police may be too weak, but the army chief called on the government to resign and hold new elections. This is not how an elected government should step down. The PAD refused that suggestion as well, they are not interested in any compromise, or new elections which likely would return the PPP again. The PAD leadership (Sondhi Limthongkul amongst others) will never be satisfied until every trace of Thaksin is erased. This is nothing more than a personal vendetta stemming from the falling out between Sondhi Limthongkul and Thaksin when the latter's government failed to erase Sondhi's business depths. The PAD will never honor any elections. Despite the obvious illegal activities of the PAD leaders, the judicial courts have set them free again and again. It seems clear that the PAD counts on the support from the elite, the military as well as the courts, many of which were installed during the military coup. Without the support of these organs (i.e. police, justice, army) the elected Thai government is powerless to regain control of the situation. We, the real people of Thailand, have no weapons to fight with the PAD and the tacit support of the elite, we have only our bare hands and brave hearts. We want a democracy with a fairly elected government that respects the rights of ALL Thai people. The currently vacillating army and elite should be made aware that in this day and age a fairly elected government should be respected and illegal behavior by the PAD cannot be condoned and tolerated - irrespective...

More Newser Stories

Grenade Blast Hurts 46 Thai Protesters

Thai Protesters Seize Second Airport

Gunmen Attack Thai Protest Leader

Protests Return to Bangkok

Protesters Will Leave Bangkok Airports


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne