Samak shifts venue

An officer locks a gate of the Government House as the People’s Alliance for Democracy vowed to lay siege to the nation’s highest office today.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has shifted his schedule meetings today at Government House to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because of the People's Alliance for Democracy's plan to lay siege to the administrative centre.

All meetings scheduled at Government House today are being held at other state offices. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee has moved a meeting with financial officials to the Finance Ministry.

The majority of government officials at Government House are not expected to turn up for work today as they might be prevented from leaving the premises, as with protests at other state agencies.

Loiluan Bunnag, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said officials should not panic but if they wanted to take a day off they could.

He advised staff to come to work by taxi or bus and leave their cars at home because the exits and entrances would be closed immediately in the even of any trouble from the PAD protest.

A National Counter-Corruption Commission officer, who asked not to be named, said witnesses summoned to appear before the commission at its office opposite Government House had been told to go to its Phetburi Road office instead.

NCCC chairman Panthep Klanarongran has ordered tightened security measures to protect important documents.

More than 20,000 supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are expected to gather at Government House today amid fears of violence as security officials have been instructed to prevent them from taking control of the premises.

Intelligence officials appraised the situation and believed the PAD could mobilise more than 20,000 supporters.

A source from Government House said police would block all gates from last night. They have yet to analyse how the PAD protesters were planing their rally strategies.

The Security Division issued a circular to the heads of all divisions in Government House to decide whether to allow staff to work half a day so that security officials can work with more flexibility. They expect the PAD to gather in the afternoon.

"We fear the protesters may break into the compound while we open the gates to allow staff to go home," the source said.

General Police Chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan said police would keep on negotiating with the PAD not to cross over Makkhawan Bridge and gather at Government House.

Even though the PAD has refused to bow to the request, police would not use force to suppress the protesters and avoid confrontations.