4 Explosions In Bangkok, Pads last stand ?

BREAKING NEWS:
Four explosions occur in Bangkok

BANGKOK: -- Four nearly simultaneous explosions occurred in Bangkok early Monday morning.

The first bombs exploded at about 3:50 am at the police booth at the Bang Lamphu Intersection.

Channel 3 reported that the second bomb exploded five minute later at 3:40 am at the road-island park between Wat Soamanus and Bang Lamphu.

The station said two more explosions occurred behind the office of ASTV at 3:45 am.

No one was injured in the four explosions.

The first explosion damaged the police booth, breaking its glass windows.

-- The Nation 2008-11-24

Breaking news below:

- Protesters begin "last battle" at Parliament
- 4 grenades explode near ASTV TV station
- PAD Protesters besiege Parliament, Police head office, electricity cut off
- 5 MPs, 1 senator stranded inside Parlaiment, House meeting postponed indefinitely

PAD plans mass protest outside parliament today
Monday November 24, 2008
Chai to suspend meeting if violence threatens

MANOP THIP-OSOD and SIRIKUL BUNNAG

Parliament President Chai Chidchob will decide this morning whether to postpone or cancel the House-Senate joint session in the face of the mass protest planned by supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Mr Chai said yesterday that if the PAD protest shows indications of becoming violent he could postpone the joint meeting, or even end the present session of parliament.

With the approach of His Majesty the King's birthday on Dec 5, he wanted to ensure there was no violence.

He planned to try and enter the parliament between 8am and 9am. The meeting is scheduled to start at 10am.

Mr Chai softened his position after a huge turnout of PAD supporters yesterday, estimated at 40,000, to join in what PAD leaders term the "final battle" to bring down the government led by acting People Power party leader and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

continues here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/241108_News/24Nov2008_news01.php

Anti-government protesters begin self proclaimed "last battle" at Parliament

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protest moved from its 'headquarters' at Government House to Parliament early Monday in what it is calling its "final battle" to pressure the government to resign.

The protest movement's earlier assault on Parliament, on October 7, was intended as a peaceful blockade to stop Parliament from convening, but ended in violence when police fired tear gas, sparking street clashes that left two people dead and nearly 500 injured.

Monday morning in Bangkok sees thousands of PAD supporters who earlier seized and have been encamped in the Government House compound since late August moving to Parliament. The streams of yellow-shirted protesters started flowing through the streets at about 6.45am and later surrounded the Parliament compound to prevent the scheduled joint session of representatives and senators from convening.

The Peoples' Alliance oppose amendments to the 2007 Constitution and believe Parliament will discuss the altering the national charter on Monday but the speakers of both the Senate and the House of Representatives have said it is not on the agenda.

Sonthi Limthongkul, a top PAD core leader, said that once the protesters arrive outside Parliament, they would disperse into smaller groups and move to major government agencies including the temporary government house at Don Mueang, the Finance Ministry, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the National Police Bureau, the Metropolitan Police Headquarters and residences of some key government figures.

Scores of police and security forces are stationed at Parliament to prevent the PAD from entering he compound.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is in Peru from November 20-26 to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, the capital.

Early Monday two small explosions occurred near Bang Lamphu intersection -- at a police checkpoint and in bushes some 200 metres from the checkpoint.

The first blast damaged windows at the checkpoint but no one was injured, while the second was 15-20 minutes later. Both explosions were believed to be homemade bombs put in place early and detonated by remote control.

It was reported that the offices of ASTV, headed by PAD co-founder Sondhi, was also the target of a small bomb, but there was no confirmation.

Several PAD members have been killed in bombing attacks since early October.

The PAD coalition, a self-proclaimed 'democracy' movement began protesting against the then Thaksin government in 2006. The United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), opposed to the PAD, also claims to represent 'democracy'.