PAD protest continues

The PAD pledged that their occupation of Government House was a "final war", and that if Samak did not resign they would abandon their protests. They then announced that they would remain at Government House for three days.

Well, Samak has made it clear that he will not quit, and today is the third day of the occupation, but there are no signs that the PAD protesters will leave anytime soon. Arrest warrants have been issued for the PAD's leaders, and police have been negotiating with them since Tuesday, but this morning Samak announced that he was withdrawing the police from the area.

In the past few days, Samak has reacted with uncharacteristic restraint. Today's police retreat admirably avoids any potential for violent confrontation, though it also weakens the Prime Minister, who has no choice but to remain in a temporary office at army HQ while thousands of PAD supporters camp out around Government House.