PAD protests intensify

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) entered the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT) television station Tuesday, forcing it off the air.

The group reportedly entered the back entrance of the station in the early morning and forced all employees to leave as part of their plan to force the Samak Sundaravej government to resign.

The station briefly aired pictures of the protesters before broadcasting was cut.

Police later arrested a group of 80 protesters, who were reportedly armed with two pistols, knives, and golf clubs.

But PAD core leader Sondhi Limthongkul denied that the men were carrying weapons, saying the break in was done peacefully.

Other PAD protesters, meanwhile, invaded the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives compounds.

The road leading to Government House was also blocked, forcing the government to cancel its weekly meeting.

Local media reported Prime Minister Samak called an urgent meeting with Supreme Commander Boonsang Niampradit and chiefs of the armed forces.

On Monday, Mr Samak refused to bow to any move outside parliament to force him to step down. He said the government came to power legally and the only way to remove it from power should be through parliamentary means.

Army chief Anupong Paochinda, meanwhile, insisted that the military will not overthrow the government to quell political unrest.

"The military will not stage a coup d'etat. The public must not panic and must carry on their daily lives. The army will not get involved in politics," Gen Anupong told reporters.