Protest Update

Given the time difference, most of you who are reading this are still asleep but I figured that I would give you on update on the situation. This was taken from the Bangkok Post online and was in the breaking news section:

Protesters pass last barricade, heading to Govt House

(BangkokPost.com) - Some 1,000 protesters were able to pass through police barricade at Misakawan intersection, the last blockade to reach the Government House at around 2pm Friday.

Hundreds of police were at the intersection while police trucks were left in the middle of the Phitsanulok Road to block protesters.

But protesters tried to overturn a police truck that block the way with bare hands. They were finally able to get through the trucks and march to the Government House, where other protesters were expected to join them

Furthermore,

Friday showdown: PAD v police

"If they try to break through using flag poles, baseball bats or other objects they will be regarded as using weapons... Police will take action according to international crowd control principles." - Pol Maj-Gen Surapol Thuanthong, deputy police spokesman

Police said on Thursday they will not allow protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy move to Government House or parliament on Friday.

The PAD said it would push forward with its plans to move its rally from the Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge early on Friday afternoon, and defied the police to arrest its leaders.

Core PAD organiser Maj-Gen Chamlong said the group had every right to move to Government House, but promised no one would go inside - "even if gates may be open for us. Our aim is not to lay siege to Government House but to show our force,"

At Government House, a siege mentality set it. Non-essential workers were told to take Friday off, and other workers were warned not to park their cars in the compound.

All schools in the area of Government House were ordered shut for Friday.

"All schools" includes Chitralada Palace school... waiting to see how this develops...