Rival protests square off in Bangkok, showdown looms (Roundup)

Bangkok - Thousands of pro-government protestors gathered Sunday to launch a rival civic movement against the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who are holding the capital's two airports hostage in their bid to topple the Thai government. About 20,000 followers of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) rallied outside the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority in what promises to be an all-night demonstration against the PAD, an anti-government movement that has seized Bangkok's two airports - Suvarnabhumi International and Don Mueang - cutting the capital off from air traffic and causing untold economic damage to the country while disrupting travel plans for thousands of travellers. 'I'm against the PAD,' said Charoon, a 55-year-old real estate agent who has joined the DAAD. 'They are breaking our rice bowl.' The DAAD wear red shirts, to distinguish themselves from the PAD, who favour yellow T-shirts, the colour associated with Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The PAD, a loose coalition of groups adamantly opposed to the return to power of fugitive former-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has been holding protests to bring down the government for the past six months. It launched its 'final battle' last week, invading Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Tuesday, forcing the facility to close down completely by Wednesday, and taking over Don Mueang, the capital's former airport, the following day. Although Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared both airports under emergency decree and ordered the police to clear the protestors from the facilities, as of Sunday evening the authorities had not acted. On the highway about five kilometres outside Suvarnabhumi, about 500 police were stationed, facing an estimated 200 PAD guards armed pipes, knives and sticks. The last time the police cracked down on the PAD was on October 7. The incident, which left two PAD followers dead, drew immediate criticism of the police. Thai Queen Sirikit attended the funeral of one of the victims. The police are also aware that Somchai may no longer be prime minister by Tuesday, when Thailand's Constitutional Court is expected to rule on whether the governing People Power Party committed fraud during the December 23, 2007 elections. A guilty verdict would lead to the dissolution of the PPP and the banning of its top executives from office. That would require Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to lose his post, which the PAD would claim as a victory. In the ensuing confusion, it is expected that the PAD and its political supporters would push for an appointed interim cabinet, set up by the Constitution Court. Besides broad backing from Bangkok's middle class, the PAD is known to have the support of many members of Thailand's political elite, including the army. While Thai authorities have yet to take action against the PAD, there are growing concerns that pro-government demonstrators will prove less conciliatory. There are fears that the DAAD, which has been law-abiding thus far, will turn to violence in the coming days to rein in the PAD. 'Thailand is tipping out of control,' warned Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's prestigious Chulalongkorn University. 'The DAAD could go on its own rampage, and then who will stop them? Only Thaksin.' Thaksin, a billionaire former telecommunications tycoon turned populist politician who dominated Thai politics during two terms as premier between 2001-06, is currently a fugitive, living in self-exile to avoid a prison sentence for corruption. But he remains the central character in Thailand's unfolding political drama. Although banned from politics by a court ruling in May 2007, after being ousted by a coup in 2006, Thaksin has vowed to make a political comeback. On October 21, the Supreme Court for Political Office Holders sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail for abuse of power. He claimed the verdict was politically motivated. Thaksin is known to be the main financier behind the ruling People Power Party. Prime Minister Somchai is his brother-in-law. The PAD's main goal has been to keep Thaksin from returning to power but some fear the movement is actually paving the way for his comeback, by creating political chaos and devastating the economy. 'The PAD, ironically, is playing into Thaksin's hands,' Thitinan said.