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Thai Parliamentary representatives
attend the emergency parliamentary session in Bangkok, capital of
Thailand, Aug. 31, 2008. An emergency Parliament session aiming at sorting
out ways for the solution of the ongoing political crisis was presided
over by Thai House Speaker Chai Chidchob on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ling
Shuo)
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Gallery>>> |
BANGKOK, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- A special bicameral
parliament session continued on Sunday evening, aiming at sorting out a peaceful
solution for Thailand's ongoing political turmoil.
The session opened at 1:30 p.m. (0630 GMT), chaired
by parliament president and House Speaker Chai Chidchob.
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Parliament president and House Speaker
Chai Chidchob presides over the special bicameral parliament session in
Bangkok on Sunday. (Xinhua/Ling Shuo)
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A total of 460 elected members in the House of
Representatives and senators attended the session.
MPs of opposition Democrat Party and some senators
blamed Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet for causing the current
political tension. Some, including opposition spokesman Jurin Laksanavisit,
suggested Samak should resign as the protesters demanded to defuse the tension.
Samak replied that he had done nothing wrong as
premier, so there was no reason for him to resign.
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Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
launches a speech during the emergency parliamentary session in Bangkok,
capital of Thailand, Aug. 31, 2008. (Xinhua/Ling Shuo)
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On the other hand, some MPs from the Samak-led People
Power Party bombarded the anti-government civil group People's Alliance for
Democracy (PAD) who led protesters to seize a state-run TV station, the
government seat, ministries' offices and stormed police headquarters and
airports in three southern tourist-significant provinces in the last few days,
which they said have constituted a coup d'etat.
More than 1,000 pro-government demonstrators gathered
outside the parliament in the afternoon to voice support for Samak.
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Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
attends the emergency parliamentary session in Bangkok, capital of
Thailand, Aug. 31, 2008. (Xinhua/Ling Shuo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
The debate is expected to last till midnight.
The urgent parliament session was called as thousands
of PAD-led protesters on Sunday continued their occupation in and around the
Government House, which they seized on Tuesday in a so-called "final showdown"
to oust the government led by Samak, and the tension exacerbated on Friday when
violent clashes occurred between the police and protesters.
Earlier on Sunday in his weekly TV and radio address,
Prime Minister Samak reiterated that he has no fear of the mass protests led by
the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) that pressed for his resignation. He
vowed to stay on as premier, but said he had no intention to dissolve the
parliament.
He also criticized the media and some senators for
taking sides with the PAD for suggesting his resignation in the past days.
PAD leaders have voiced support for the opposition
Democrat Party to form a government after they succeeded to topple the Samak
government.
Thai military reshuffle endorsed by
King
BANGKOK, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Thai King has endorsed the
annual military reshuffle involving 556 positions on Sunday, according to local
media.
The latest reshuffle has seen General Songkitti Chakkabat,
the chief-of-staff of the Supreme Command, succeed General Boonsang Niampradit
as the Supreme Commander, while General Apichart Penkitti be promoted to the
rank of Permanent Secretary of Defence Ministry, the Bangkok Post newspaper
website reported. Full story
Thai coalition gov't to carry on in
face of protests
BANGKOK, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The six parties led by People
Power Party (PPP) in Thailand's coalition government on Saturday vowed to remain
united and carry on its duties in face of continuous anti-government protests.
Party leaders or representatives of the six coalition
parties held a news conference Saturday night at a Bangkok hotel after holding a
parties' meeting. At the press conference, they said that their coalition
remained strong and the government would carry on its duties despite the seizure
of the Government House by thousands of protesters led by the civil political
coalition People's Alliance for Democracy. Full story
