Police open fire with tear gas on the PAD supporters laying siege to Parliament House; 1 dead, 148 injured

Thailand woke yesterday to shocking scenes of clashes between riot police and anti-government protesters flashing up on every TV channel. Police fired tear gas to try to disperse more than 3,000 protesters, who marched to Parliament and attempted to block MPs, including Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, from attending a budget debate.

 Somchai emerged sweating and hurriedly read out a policy, which had just been passed without participation from the opposition party and senators, who boycotted the budget session in protest against the government's use of force.

 Political commentators condemned the riot police for using tear gas, while a number of cabinet members said it was justified by protesters' lack of respect for the law.

PM forced to flee

 However, Somchai and other MPs including House Speaker Chai Chidchob were forced to flee Parliament and its ring of People's Alliance of Democracy supporters, to Vimanmek Mansion.

 The political developments seemed to trigger an escalation in violence. Police fired another two rounds of tear gas when PAD supporters reportedly attacked their ranks stationed at Parliament.

 Protesters vowed to continue their rally as key PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the crowd that they would finally win the battle. "The government's days are numbered. Smart police should back off and stop serving the government."

 Meanwhile, the Prime Minister refused to stand down and said he had no plans to declare a state of emergency.

The clash by numbers

1 man was killed in a car parked near Chart Thai party headquarters. The police suspect a bomb caused the explosion.

1 man lost his left leg during the clash between riot police and anti-government protesters outside Parliament.

2 policemen were shot and injured near parliament as police tried to clear demonstrators from the area.

3 rounds of tear gas were fired by police yesterday to disperse the anti-government protesters.

3.5 hours was the time Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat spent on his policy speech.

4.18 per cent was the drop the Thailand stock market suffered yesterday.

35 days ago was the last time the riot police and PAD supporters clashed, at the Makkawan Rangsan Bridge.

43 days is the period the PAD protesters have spent occupying Government House.

72 were injured by the first round of tear gas fired by the riot police on Tuesday morning.

90 minutes was the delay to the parliamentary session's start time of 9am.

148 people were reported injured at press time.

136 days is how long PAD supporters have been protesting against the authorities.

320 MPs were present at yesterday's parliamentary session - none from the opposition Democrat Party.

500 PAD voluntary guards were on duty when the police started firing tear gas at 6.20am yesterday.

100,000 baht was the amount of money given by Her Majesty the Queen to Vajira Hospital to help injured protesters.

1.1 million baht was the saving account of Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth that Lt Gen Phirat Sawamiphak shoed yesterday, implying that it would be used to bail out Chamlong Srimuang.