Activists lay siege to Thai PM office

BANGKOK: Thousands of anti-government demonstrators stormed into the Thai prime minister's office compound and rallied outside several ministries yesterday.

The demonstration followed the violent takeover of a state-run TV station by a masked mob from the same protest group.

The right-wing People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said its action constituted a "final showdown" in its efforts to oust the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. The group has been protesting across Bangkok since May to demand the government's ouster.