I will return, says ex-PM as Thailand erupts

THAILAND'S ousted prime minister called for a revolution yesterday after rioting erupted in the capital, with protesters commandeering public buses and swarming over military vehicles.

The government declared a state of emergency as bands of up to 30,000 red-shirted anti-government protesters roamed areas of Bangkok, some furiously smashing cars carrying prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his aides, and others assaulting motorists who hurled insults at them.

Outside the interior ministry, a mob attacked Mr Abhisit's car with poles, a ladder and even flower pots, as it slowly made its escape.

The prime minister's secretary and his driver were attacked and seriously injured. Police clad in riot gear did nothing to stem the chaos.

• Click here to view a picture slideshow of the protests

Protesters used buses to barricade several major roads, blocking at least ten junctions and causing massive traffic jams. Abandoned police vans were looted.

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was toppled in a 2006 coup, called for a revolution and said he might return from exile to lead it.

"Now that they have tanks on the streets, it is time for the people to come out in revolution," Mr Shinawatra said in a telephone message to his followers, who were surrounding the prime minister's office.

"And when it is necessary, I will come back to the country."

Last night, several people were hurt as anti-government protesters clashed with soldiers just before dawn.

The confrontation was the first serious clash between the demonstrators and security forces since protests intensified last week.

Television footage of the scene showed injured people being taken away as soldiers in full combat gear secured the area at the Din Daeng intersection, where there is a ramp to the main expressway leading north from the capital.

The incident appeared to be an isolated one, taking place several miles away from the main encampment of thousands of protesters outside the prime minister's offices.

The emergency decree allows the government to call up troops to quell unrest, ban gatherings of more than five people, and forbids news reports considered to be a threat to public order.

"I believe that the people have seen what happened to me," said Mr Abhisit when he announced the state of emergency in a television appearance.

"They have seen that the protesters were trying to hurt me and smash the car." Mr Abhisit has also vowed swift legal action against the protesters who caused the East Asian Summit in the beach resort of Pattaya to be cancelled on Saturday, as they smashed into the convention centre's glass doors, yelling demands for the prime minister to resign.

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a spokesman for the army, said soldiers and police were being moved to more than 50 key points in the city, including bus and railway stations.

About 400 soldiers armed with rifles ringed Chitralada Palace, the Bangkok residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The monarch is believed to be at his seaside palace.

"We told our people to be ready and be prepared," said Jakrapop Penkair, a key protest leader.

Another protester, Lada Yingmanee, 37, said: "The government can't do anything. We will show them what tens of thousands of unarmed civilians can do. The people will finally rule our beloved Thailand."

One of the protest leaders, Arisman Pongruengrong, was taken into custody yesterday and flown by helicopter to a military camp for questioning, said police spokesman Major-General Suport Pansua.

Protests were also reported in areas of northern and north-eastern Thailand, with one group threatening to blockade the main bridge to Laos to across the Mekong River.

Editorials in Bangkok newspapers yesterday lashed out at both the protesters for destroying Thailand's international reputation, and the government for a massive security breakdown.

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of the Tourism Council of Thailand, predicted that the country would lose at least 200 billion baht (£3.85 billion) if foreign visitors shunned the destination as they did after the airports were shut down by anti-Shinawatra demonstrators last November.