PAD set to launch 'king taksin operation'

Tens of thousands of protesters from the provinces will splinter into three groups today to surround Parliament, the temporary government office at Don Mueang Airport and some business spots in the capital such as the stock exchange and the Finance Ministry, a source said.

A plan to again storm NBT television station was reportedly rejected as key members considered the previous attempt in August a failure and politically incorrect.

Dubbed the "King Taksin Operation", the protesters are comparing their fight to that of King Taksin the Great who ordered his troops to break rice bowls and pots before launching an attack on Chantaburi, meaning soldiers would have rice to eat only after the victory.

King Taksin was the great king who liberated Ayutthaya from Burma but is not related to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, PAD's sworn enemy.

The PAD protesters plan to lay siege to Parliament to block the amendment of the Constitution although House Speaker Chai Chidchob said the amendment was not on the agenda. The session, instead, would tackle the negotiating framework for the Asean pacts.

A government source said Chai might cancel today's session if Parliament gates were blocked by the PAD, to avoid a recurrence of the October 7 violence when two protesters were killed and 400 others injured in clashes between anti-riot police and protesters.

Asked about his plan if PAD protesters successfully blocked the entrance to Parliament, Chai yesterday said, "I will lie prostrate before them and ask for permission to go inside".

Chai insisted that the proposed amendment to the Constitution was not on the agenda of the parliamentary session.

Today's protest actions come amid fears of violence after the PAD's opponents launched a series of bomb attacks on the group, killing two people and injuring dozens in a span of less than a week. The latest casualty was PAD security guard Yuthapong Samerpak who died yesterday after sustaining serious injuries from a grenade attack in the early hours of Saturday.

The PAD has also adopted contingency measures in the event something untoward happens to its five core leaders. It has appointed second generation leaders to take charge of the movement in their place. The latest to be appointed are Saranyu Wongkrachang, an entertainer, and Maleerat Kaewka, a former senator. The two will join Samran Rodphet, Sirichai Maingarm and Sawit Kaewan as the second-generation leaders.