Tear gas fired on protesters at Thai Parliament

In the first show of force against the anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok, dozens of riot police fired tear gas to break up a blockade by 4,000 protesters on the Parliament building early this morning. At least three people were seriously injured and around 72 others wounded.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has held the Government House executive branch administrative center since August, last night launched a blockade of the Parliament building to prevent new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from making his first policy address.

The Parliament blockade was broken up at around 6.20 this morning by dozens of police equipped with face masks and shields. Around 40 or 50 tear-gas canisters were fired.

Local media reports say one man appeared to have lost a leg after he was hit by a tear-gas grenade. At least two other people were seriously injured. Several people were carried from the protest by fellow demonstrators after the short tear-gas attack. Television footage showed that protesters dug and covered their faces with clothes to protect themselves from the tear gas.

"I don't think there are many injuries," Police Major Genernal Viboon Bangthamai was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post.

Since May, PAD has been demonstrating against the government formed by the People's Power Party, which PAD says is a nominee for ousted former prime Thaksin Shinawatra, who fled to England after facing graft charges at home. The premiership was held until last month by Samak Sundaravej, who was ordered to step down by the Constitutional Court after he made a paid appearance on a television cooking show. Somchai, the new premier who took office last month, is the brother in law of Thaksin.

PAD has occupied Government House since late August. On Sunday, one of PAD's key leaders, Chamlong Srimuang, was arrested for treason and is in police custody. Other protest leaders also face charges, but as long as they have stayed in the Government House "Camp Complaint" compound, they have remained untouched.

Premier Somchai says he ordered a "soft approach" against the protesters. He said the policy speech had to go ahead because the government cannot act until its policies are made public.

"It is not right for the PAD to obstruct the representatives of the people," Somchai was quoted as saying.

Her Majesty Queen Sirikit issued a statement expressing concern over the use of tear gas and at the injuries to the protesters. She donated 100,000 baht to a local hospital were many protesters were being treated.