Tempers flare in Samut Prakan

Following a day of protests and counter-rallies, red shirts allegedly began hurling velvet beans – notorious for their itchiness – at their rivals, who retaliated by hurling water bottles.

The day began with some 1,000 protesters, led by ex-Democrat MP Charoon Youngprapakorn, who took over the provincial hall. Charoon delivered a fiery speech attacking the Thaksin regime, while protesters blocked traffic causing congestion on Sukhumvit and Srinakarin Roads. 

Later in the morning, 300 red shirts began congregating in an area designated by police to keep the two sides apart.

After more than two hours of laying siege to the provincial hall, local authorities agreed to accept the roses and whistles presented by the protesters. However, when they opened the gate for protesters to enter the grounds, the red shirts also rushed in. The two sides eventually decided to disperse at around noon, but tensions rose as they were leaving and police had to step in. No casualties or damage was reported.

In Songkhla, some 3,000 protesters stormed the venue designated for the government’s Thailand 2020 exhibition. 

Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong was slated to preside over the exhibition’s opening ceremony but it was cancelled.

Governor Krissada Boonrat announced that no government leaders would be attending the event and protesters subsequently dispersed. 

In Rayong, about 100 protesters stormed into the provincial hall, prompting most officials to drop their work and go home. Later, a number of female protesters filed a police complaint charging guards of sexually assaulting them during the tussle to enter the city hall. 

In Yala, some 2,000 students and teachers from Yala Technical College and Rajabhat University as well as local officials, marched to the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) to voice their opposition to the Thaksin regime.

SBPAC director Thawee Sodsong told the protesters that he was taking no sides. 

In Ubon Ratchathani, some 500 Democrat Party supporters rallied in front of the provincial hall to show their opposition to the government. 

Meanwhile, in Buri Ram, more than 500 doctors, nurses and local residents participated in a civil march in Nang Rong Municipality.