PAD to cut power at military headquarters

Anchalee Paireerak, a second generation PAD leader said the Labour Union was preparing to cut off water and power in the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters to prevent the Somchai Cabinet from holding a meeting there. The PAD aims to "draw the curtain and finish the final chapter of the Somchai government."

The PAD was tipped off that the Cabinet would hold a weekly meeting at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters at 2 PM on Tuesday.

At noon about ten PAD protesters arrived at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters on Chaengwattana Road and they were told by the soldiers guarding the entrance that there was not a special Cabinet meeting there on Tuesday.

As more PAD people are expected to arrive there, fire brigade trucks and fire fighters are sent to the military headquarters. About 20 unarmed military officials holding only shields stand guard at the entrance and metal barricades were brought to block the anti-protesters from entering the military compound.

Panthep Puapongpan, a PAD spokesman said the PAD leaders have yet to decide to move to the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Some PAD leaders had earlier proposed that the PAD block Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat at the airport. Somchai is scheduled to return from APEC leaders' summit in Peru tomorrow.

The spokesman said it was likely the PAD would stay over night one more day to lay seize at the temporary office of the government at Don Mueang Airport. He said the PAD would resort to all-out effort to prevent the Somchai Cabinet from working and they were ready to move to any site the Cabinet meeting is to be held.

The PAD on Monday declared its victory after House Speaker Chai Chidchob postponed a joint House session following the PAD's besieging of Parliament.