BANGKOK, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat insisted Sunday in a nation-wide TV address that he will not resign as the anti-government movement demanded, adding that his step-down will not solve the country's problems.

    Speaking on the state TV station National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) on Sunday evening, the embattled prime minister said the crisis facing the country needs a solution that could solve the conflicts between different sides and bring peace back to the kingdom.

Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is seen before addressing the nation in Bangkok Oct 12, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    He said people should think twice before judging on rumors that implied his resignation or dissolution of the House of Representatives. He said he would not make such decisions before taking into account all factors.

    As for the October 7 chaos, in which police fired tear gas at protestors led by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to break their besiege around the Parliament compound and the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters. In the clash between police and protestors, two people were killed and some 400 injured.

    He said some actions have not been taken according to the law and he has ordered to set up two panels to conduct investigations into the violent incidents and comforting victims and their families.

Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is photographed before addressing the nation in Bangkok on Oct. 12, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    He said the government is democratically elected by the Thai people, and the government has to be responsible for its people and the parliament. He added that the government adheres to the constitutional monarchy.

    He also urged the nation to focus on urgent issues such as the economic woes facing the nation amid the recent global financial crisis and the ASEAN summit scheduled to be hosted by Thailand in December.

    Somchai said that he deeply worried about the current global financial tsunami that hit not only the United States and Europe, but also Asian countries, adding if Thailand had not taken counter-measures in time to cope with the threats, Thailand might experience a similar financial crisis in 1997.

    Another urgent matter is the 14th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit in December, Somchai said. Thailand as the new ASEAN rotating chairman is titled to host the December Summit and it has the responsibility to guarantee the summit and related meetings be conducted smoothly, said the prime minister.

    He warned that Thailand's image will be greatly damaged if the domestic political turmoil affects the summit.

Thai Supreme Commander affirms no coup 

    BANGKOK, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jakkabatra said Saturday that there would not be a military coup.

    Songkitti said military top brass officers have been brainstorming for a solution for the political turmoil, in which anti-government protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were engaged in stand-off and later violent clashes with the authorities, and have agreed on a solution, but not a coup, according to news website The Nation.

Thai anti-government group leaders surrender to police 

    BANGKOK, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Six core leaders of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) led by its sponsor Sondhi Limthongkul surrendered to police at police station in Bangkok on Friday morning, a day after the Court of Appeal dropped three serious charges against them, including insurrection.

    Accompanied them were more than 10 PAD guards, who blocked reporters from interviewing the core leaders.

Political impasse breaks into chaos in Thai capital with clashes upgrade

    BANGKOK, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The hope for reconciliation between Thailand's two-week-old new government and its protesters to break the lingering political impasse has suffered a hard blow as police got tough with protesters who extended their besiege of the Government House to the Parliament.

    Police fired tear gas a few times since early Tuesday morning into the crowds of protesters led by civilian anti-government coalition People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in an attempt to disperse them, while the other side returned attacks at the police with home-made weapons.

Thai PM insists no resignation to solve chaos

Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat (C). He arrives at the 6th military airport in Bangkok, September 25, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BANGKOK, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat insisted Tuesday afternoon that he would not resign as are sort to solve the current political chaos as anti-government protesters have demanded after their clashes with police resulted many injuries.

    Somchai said that to solve the current crisis needs efforts from different sides, not just the government's own duty.