The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC Online

Thai riot police have surrounded the prime minister's compound to try to evict anti-government protesters who took over the building on Tuesday.

But demonstrators are vowing to stay camped in the grounds of the premises until PM Samak Sundaravej steps down.

A court has issued arrest warrants for nine protest leaders on charges of trying to overthrow the government.

The protesters say Samak is a proxy for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.

Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile in London, after leaving Thailand earlier this month to avoid facing a series of corruption charges.

Analysts say that Thai society is deeply divided between those who will never trust an administration run by allies of Thaksin, and those - particularly in the countryside - who are his ardent supporters.

The army, in particular, is uncomfortable about being caught in the middle of this conflict and, according to the BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Jonathan Head, there may well be similar divided loyalties in the ranks.

After news of the arrest warrants filtered through to the protesters, their leaders remained defiant.

One of those facing arrest, Somsak Kosaisuk, a union leader from the south of the country, said he would wait for the police to arrive.

Protesters stand their ground outside the prime minister's compound

"If you want to arrest us, come here and arrest us here - it is the government who must go," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday hundreds of riot police cut through makeshift barricades and moved into the compound around Government House.

There were scuffles between the two sides, and a few minor injuries were reported.

But the demonstrations were largely peaceful, with protesters posing for photographs, picnicking and singing.

Many were clad in yellow as a mark of loyalty to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Samak, who is currently stationed in military headquarters, rejected calls for his resignation and demanded that the protesters leave Government House by the end of the day.