3. Thailand rocked by continued political turmoil
Riot police stand guard outside the parliment building in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Dec. 15, 2008.From May 25, the Thai anti-government group, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), held large gatherings to force Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign, claiming he was just a deputy of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. PAD supporters began a siege of the Government House in Bangkok on Aug. 26. On Sept. 9,the Constitutional Court found Samak in breach of the constitution and disqualified him as prime minister.
On Sept. 17, deputy leader of the People Power Party, Somchai Wongsawat, was elected prime minister. However, his election was opposed by the PAD. Bringing matters to a head in the third week of November, PAD supporters surrounded the Parliament and occupied the capital's airports. On Dec. 2, the Constitutional Court ruled the three ruling parties in the coalition government were guilty of electoral fraud and Somchai stepped down.
On Dec. 15, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected prime minister.
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