Matichon has the quote: "In my life, I have never seen anything like this. I am saying directly that [they] must take a step back sometimes. To seize Government House, they seized it. We didn't say anything, but to seize Parliament. This is not right" BP: I get his point in the sense that parliament is the seat of the legislature where the people's representatives meet, but he could have phrased it a bit better. "ผมเกิดมาในชีวิตนี้ไม่เคยเจออะไรอย่างนี้เลย บอกตรงๆ ต้องยอมถอยกันบ้าง จะยึดทำเนียบ ก็ยึดไป ไม่ได้ว่าอะไร แต่ยึดสภาไม่ได้ ทำไม่ถูก" นายบรรหารกล่าว

Why are protests now acceptable, but protests after an election unacceptable? PAD have not said they will stop protesting if Somchai dissolves parliament. Previously, Sondhi L said they wanted Samak to go. Samak is gone, but PAD still continue protesting. In 2006, when Thaksin dissolved parliament, it didn't stop them. PAD's stated goal is New Politics. Once they achieve that they will stop. Perhaps, PAD will be weakened for a couple of weeks, but even during the election campaign, do you really think they will go home and be quiet?

I should note, in case it wasn't clear, that there needs to be an investigation on what transpired this morning. There were cameras everywhere, but I have seen no pictures from The Manager showing any explosive devices coming from the government side - forensic doctor Pornthip and a hospital director have said it was not just tear gas - so what transpired?

At 5 pm Bangkok time October 7th, 2008, thousands of “yellows” gather in front of the parliament’s main gate, while anti-riot police opened a side-corridor to let trapped lawmakers escape. Looks like the yellows could storm the house any minute. Have a feeling that Thailand’s “liberation” will turn very ugly. Thailand has a difficult night ahead. 5.30 pm. The sun’s about to set. I wonder how long the “reds” keep quiet. Related posts on absolutelyBangkok.com: October 7, 2008 Filed Under Politics

[Video] Click to watch scenes showing police firing teargas at protestors at 6.20 this morning to disperse protestors who had surrounded the Parliament building at around 8.00 last night. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had vowed to block this morning's parliamentary meeting where the new Somchai Wongsawat Cabinet is scheduled to deliver its policy statement before assuming official duties. Police moved in early this morning with teargas, sending hundreds of protestors scurrying for shelter. Police managed to clear a side gate for MPs to enter to hold their meeting today. It's not clear, as of the time of my writing, whether the parliamentary meeting will still be held today although Premier Somchai had insisted that he would proceed with the session.