BANGKOK, Dec 3 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban stood firm today that he will remain stationed at the rally site at Thailand’s Government Complex despite the reported encirclement of the compound by police intending to arrest him.
He continued posing for photos with demonstrators who extended their moral support and announced that he would not flee the country, and that he is unconcerned by the threat of arrest by the police.
Mr Suthep said police were defeated after protesters were allowed to enter the Metropolitan Police Command at the order of its commander Pol Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang.
The next target is Government House, announced Mr Suthep.
Former Democrat MP Ekanat Prompan said Mr Suthep made it clear that he will carry on until the Thaksin regime is wiped out and that he will neither re-enter politics nor join any political party including the Democrat Party, of which he had been an executive member.
“There are reports that police will arrest Mr Suthep. He will not flee, nor fight with weapons. He will fight peacefully until Thailand becomes a complete constitutional monarchy,” said Mr Ekanat, spokesman of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee.
Copies of arrest warrants were dropped from a helicopter to rally sites at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road and the Democracy Monument on Ratchdamnoen Avenue this morning.
Mr Ekanat expressed concern with the police reaction towards protesters at the Metropolitan Police Command, saying protesters will have to thoroughly check before entering the police premise to ensure they will not be trapped and attacked.
Some protesters from the Democracy Monument and Government Complex joined their companions at the Metropolitan Police Command this morning without resistance from police.
Police earlier removed concrete barriers and barbed wire on a road leading to the city police headquarters after agreeing to let the protesters into the compound. The move followed clashes yesterday with police firing them with tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets.
The Public Health Ministry reported that the death toll from political unrest has so far risen to four as a soldier who was seriously injured in the clash at Ramkamhaeng University during the weekend succumbed to his wounds, while 256 persons were wounded since the protests turned violent in several areas.
