English Transcript

Cập nhật 04/09/2008 15:31:00

Thailand's beleaguered government has suffered a new blow with the resignation of the foreign minister. Tej Bunnag, who is seen as close to the country's revered king, had only been in the job since July. Some commentators are already saying that his departure is further evidence of the monarch's lack of faith in the current administration. This week's declaration of a state of emergency in the capital, Bangkok, has failed to reduce the pressure on the government, and the weeklong protests show little sign of ending.

Presenter: Ron Corben
Speakers: Parliamentary official Surapong; Bangkok office worker, protestor Piti Duangpitchit

CORBEN: In almost a fair-like scene, the sprawling compound of the government's main administration building in central Bangkok has been transformed in the past week since protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy breached the fences occupying the compound. Now security overseeing demonstration has been reinforced since Thai police attempted to retake the compound last week backed by a court order, and Tuesday night's violence between pro-government and anti-government protestors that left one dead and several dozen injured. The bloodshed led to the imposition of a state of emergency decree which rules against the assembly of more than five people.
I asked a local office worker attending the rally, whether she felt fearful being at the compound among the several thousand protestors.

FEMALE OFFICE WORKER: It's different from what we saw on the TV and basically I think it looks more secure than what they presented on the TV. What we saw on the TV is usually something scary. But when you actually come here - like everyday - you don't feel like it's anything scary.

CORBEL: On Tuesday Army Chief, General Annulling Poatina, said force would not be used against the protestors with the army acting as a buffer to keep pro- and anti-government demonstrators apart. Piti Duangpitchit, welcomed the Army chief's stance, which analysts see was way for the Army to distance itself from the government.

PITI: (General Anupong) is pretty good. He tried to maintain neutrality - I think his effort is to be commended at this point in time. I don't think it's wise to use the force, the military force - or any kind of force to settle this - the only way that I can see personally is for Prime Minister Samak to step down. But Mr Piti also believes the protests would succeed in pressuring Mr Samak to step down.

PITI: The people here are very confident. We are steadfast in our will to demand the resignation of the government. Prime Minister Samak is very stubborn very unreasonable. He's not working for the people of Thailand. He's working for himself and for his puppeteer master, Thaksin Shinawatra.

CORBEN: Mr. Thaksin fled to Britain last month amid a corruption court case and soon after his wife Pojaman was found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to three years jail. But many anti-government protestors still fear the Samak government will seek a way for Mr. Thaksin's return through constitutional amendments leading to an amnesty.
Deep divisions remain in Thailand between supporters and detractors of Mr. Thaksin and fears are of violence elsewhere in the country. Mr Surapong is a parliamentary official. He fears for the outlook for his country.

CORBEN: What do you think will happen? What do you think needs to happen?

SURAPONG: Happen? I really don't know because the Thai people just have to pray for god to do something for goodness to my country because it has a variety of causes to make this situation, like Mr Thaksin.