Timeline: Political Upheaval in Thailand
Key events leading up to the declaration of a state of emergency in Thailand
February 2005: The billionaire businessman Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party wins a landslide general election victory, his second since becoming prime minister in 2001.
September 2005:The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is formed by the media mogul Sondhi Limtongkul, building up to become a main player in Thaksin's downfall.
September 2006:The Royal Thai army overthrows the government in a bloodless coup while Thaksin attends a UN meeting in New York. Martial law is imposed.
May 2007: The Thai Rak Thai party is dissolved.
July 2007: A ban on political parties is lifted.
December 2007: Samak Sundaravej, a former minister, mayor of Bangkok and TV chef, becomes the prime minister of a six-party coalition led by his new People Power party - Thaksin's party in all but name.
May 2008: The PAD begins new protests against Samak, claiming that he is Thaksin's proxy.
August 26 2008: Demonstrators from PAD occupy the main government compound in Bangkok, calling on Samak to resign.
September 2: Samak declares a state of emergency as violent protests continue.
September 2005:The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) is formed by the media mogul Sondhi Limtongkul, building up to become a main player in Thaksin's downfall.
September 2006:The Royal Thai army overthrows the government in a bloodless coup while Thaksin attends a UN meeting in New York. Martial law is imposed.
May 2007: The Thai Rak Thai party is dissolved.
July 2007: A ban on political parties is lifted.
December 2007: Samak Sundaravej, a former minister, mayor of Bangkok and TV chef, becomes the prime minister of a six-party coalition led by his new People Power party - Thaksin's party in all but name.
May 2008: The PAD begins new protests against Samak, claiming that he is Thaksin's proxy.
August 26 2008: Demonstrators from PAD occupy the main government compound in Bangkok, calling on Samak to resign.
September 2: Samak declares a state of emergency as violent protests continue.
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