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The Thai government is engineering a situation to justify a crackdown on the opposition.
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Tens of thousands of opposition supporters demanding the government step down descended on Bangkok on Aug. 26, overrunning television stations and key ministry buildings, including the offices of Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. Less than 12 hours and two expired deadlines set by the police and the prime minister for the protesters to withdraw from the grounds of Government House, Samak announced that arrest orders had been issued for five top leaders from the opposition People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The day’s events ultimately have made the PAD appear more like hooligans than an opposition power capable of effective governance. The government, on the other hand, has the support of the military, police and monarchy, whose preference has always been for nonconfrontation. Military commander-in-chief Gen. Anupong Paojinda restated his support for Samak on Aug. 26 by ruling out any chances of a coup.


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