|
BANGKOK - A THAI court Monday ordered anti-government protesters to clear the road they have occupied for a week outside the prime minister's office and banned them from using loud speakers.
Thousands of protesters from the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) blocked the road in front of the prime minister's Government House offices more than a week ago.
They have camped out there every day, demanding that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resign.
'Even though the rally can be held under the constitution, actions that make trouble for other people or cause damage to other people violate civil laws,' a court statement said.
'The court has issued the injunction on the rally to stop using the loud-speakers during office hours and to open the road to traffic,' it said.
The order takes immediate effect, the statement said.
The rally began five weeks ago, when the protesters blockaded a road outside the United Nations offices in Bangkok's historic district.
About 25,000 activists marched to the gates of Government House on June 20, pressing their demand for Mr Samak's resignation.
The rallies have dimmed significantly since Mr Samak survived a vote of no confidence on Friday, but protest leaders have vowed to keep up their campaign.
Protests by PAD in early 2006 foreshadowed the coup later that year against then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. -- AFP
| 
