BANGKOK, Feb. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he will dissolve the parliament if the nation's political situation deteriorates further, but rejected escalating calls for his resignation, the Thai government spokesman Suraphong Suebwonglee said Monday.

    The remarks came a day after Thaksin's influential political mentor, Chamlong Srimuang, called for his resignation and announced he will join a mass anti-Thaksin protest Sunday.

    Thaksin called an emergency Cabinet meeting Sunday night after Chamlong's announcement, and told his ministers "he will not resign, but if the situation deteriorates, he will dissolve the parliament," Suraphong was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying. Enditem