Ten-hour stand off at an Udon Thani university ends

[lee]

Ten-hour stand off at an Udon Thani university ends

Udon Thani - Pro-Thaksin protesters have ended their ten-hour seizure of a university building in this province and allowed two key members of anti-Thaksin alliance out of the premises.

Police escorted Suriyasai Katasila, spokesman of People Alliance for Democrcy and Chaiwat Sinsuwongse, a former Palang Dharma Party, to Udon Thani airport where they boarded a flight back to Bangkok.

The protesters who sealed off Rajbhat Udon Thani University since 8am agreed to finish the stand off at about 6pm after negotating with Udon Thani Governor Jaruek Prinyaphon and senior police officers.

Suriyasai said later that legal action should be taken against leaders of pro-Thaksin supporters.

Pro-Thaksin protesters, have sealed off the university at about 8am.

At first the group, so-called Love Udon Group, demanded that the university cancel a seminar entitled "Thaksin Crisis" which had Suriyasai and Chaiwat as key speakers.

The incident, which had about 2,000 pro-Thaksin supporters involved, was so tense that the university authorities had to cancel the seminar.

At about noon, police failed in their attempting to escort speakers of the seminar out of the premises as the protesters threw plastic bottles and water on them.

The gathering continued until 10am when Dr Wichai Chaijitwanichkul, a former TRT MP of Udon Thani, arrived. He told the protest through a loud speaker to move into the university's compound. Wichai expressed doubts whether it would be safe for Suriyasai and Chaiwat can leave the buildings.

The university authorities then had to hold a talk with the protesters' leaders and agreed to cancel the seminar. However when police escorted Suriyasai and Chaiwat out of the building, they were faced with some protesters who blocked the exit doors. The protesters then threw plastic bottles and water on them. Police had to escort them back to the building.

It is reported that some protesters threw stones and plastic bottles at cars of some people leaving the building.

The Nation

[Paul]

I find it almost laughable that the police found it not possible to escort a couple of people out of the University. Who is in charge here ???