BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's political
stalemate is set to continue at least for now as Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat remained firm on no resignation or House dissolution amid growing
pressure from anti-government protesters and the military top brass.
Somchai made a TV speech Wednesday night to affirm
that he would stick to the his post to honor democracy and justice, and blamed
the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters, who pressed for his
resignation, for causing great loss to the country.
Somchai made the 10-minute speech, which started at
about 10:10p.m. (1510 GMT), from Chiang Mai, four hours after his charter plane
landed there after a trip to Peru for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC) summit.
He said he heard about calls that asked for his
resignation and House dissolution, but his government came from a legal general
election held in line with the Constitution and under the constitutional
monarchy, while the PAD has done great damage to the nation's dignity, the
democracy system and justice by lawless actions such as besieging the Government
House and the airports with weapons.
He demanded the protesters leave the Suvarnabhumi
airport, which was paralyzed on Wednesday, and the Government House, occupied by
PAD demonstrators since Aug. 26, saying "this has not only caused loss to the
government, but also to foreign business people and tourists."
"It is not important if I am prime minister or not,
but it is important to uphold the country's dignity, the democratic institution
and justice," he said.
The PAD escalated their besiege from Tuesday night to
state agencies by storming the Don Mueang domestic airport and Suvarnabhumi
International Airports in Bangkok, in an attempt to press for Somchai's
step-down, causing cancellations of flights and thousands of passengers
stranded.
The PAD also vowed to stay rallying at the
Suvarnabhumi airport until Somchai, whom they described as ex-premier Thaksin
Shinwatra's proxy, resigns.
On Wednesday afternoon, Army Commander-in-Chief
Anupong made a "proposal" to the government to dissolve the House of
Representatives after chairing a panel meeting with military and police top
brass, business leaders and academics.
The panel was tasked with monitoring the
confrontations upon an earlier order of Somchai.
Anupong had insisted that the military would not
stage a coup as a way out of the political turmoil, amid growing calls from the
PAD to take sides with it. The military also remained actionless as
confrontations intensified with shootings and bombings that caused dozens of
injuries.
Though declining at least for now to heed the
proposal of House dissolution, Somchai praised Anupong-headed panel for "doing a
good job."
Somchai said he would call an emergency Cabinet
meeting to discuss the situation and counter measures.
Anti-government protesters block
Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport November 25, 2008. Bangkok's
Suvarnabhumi International Airport was paralyzed on Wednesday, with most
flights canceled for the day, after protesters led by the People's
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) expanded their besiege on state agencies to
the airport on Tuesday evening in a showdown to topplethe government led
by premier Somchai Wongsawat.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Thai Army Chief Anupong
Paochinda on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Somchai Wonsawat to dissolve the
parliament and the protesters of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to end
rallies immediately, or will encounter the confrontations with "civil
disobedience".
Anupong made the "suggestions" on Wednesday afternoon
at a press conference after holding an urgent meeting among military and police
top brass, business leaders and academics. Full story
BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi
International Airport was paralyzed on Wednesday, with most flights canceled for
the day, after protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
expanded their besiege on state agencies to the airport on Tuesday evening in a
showdown to topplethe government led by premier Somchai Wongsawat.
The escalated political confrontation is expected to
cause more loss to the country's image and tourism industry. Full story
BANGKOK, Nov.
26 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of chanting protesters wearing yellow T-shirts and
waving national flags have demonstrated on two consecutive days in what they say
is an effort to topple the Thai government.
Analysts say it would be no easy job to end the
years-long political turmoil that has been marked by accusations and unceasing
protests and that the turbulence will cause Thailand's economy additional
disturbances. Full story
BANGKOK,
Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The "City of Angles" on Tuesday was in chaos as
anti-government protesters seized the temporary administration seat -- Don
Mueang airport, clashed with pro-government taxi drivers, forcing the Cabinet to
indefinitely postpone its weekly meeting.
The anarchy turned violent when protesters led by the
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) on Tuesday evening clashed with a group of
pro-government taxi drivers on Vibhavadi Road, leaving at least 11 injured. Two
of the taxi drivers suffered gunshot wounds. Full story
Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat reviews the honor guard at the government palace in Lima
November 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
BANGKOK, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime
Minister Somchai Wongsawat insists not to step down or dissolve the House of
Representatives despite the latest rally staged by anti-government People's
Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors, government spokesman Nattawut Saikua
said Tuesday.
Nattawut was quoted by The Nation news network as
saying that the government would not yield to the undemocratic and
unconstitutional attempt by the PAD to force it out of office. Full story
Anti-government protestors led by the
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrate near the parliament
complex in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Nov. 24, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters
Photo) Photo
Gallery>>>
BANGKOK, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- After several days of peaceful protest, the
anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) clashed with
pro-government taxi drivers on Tuesday afternoon, injuring eight persons.
According to local reports, some 20 PAD guards battled
with a group of taxi drivers who support the government on the way to the
Suvarnabhumi airport.
BANGKOK, Nov. 25
(Xinhua) -- Thailand's army chief Anupong Paojinda on Tuesday ruled out the
possibility of a military coup to topple the government, explaining the coup
could not solve problems.
Anupong, who chairs the committee for monitoring political
developments, said the army has prepared plans and security forcesto handle
groups of anti-government protestors occupying different areas.
BANGKOK,
Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy
(PAD) leader Chamlong Srimuang said on Monday protestors' march to seal off
different locations in Bangkok on Monday is simply a prelude, as the group
planned more intense coordinated protests on Tuesday and vowed to topple the
government by Wednesday.
On Monday, key PAD leaders declared victory after their
mass protests at Parliament prompted the cancellation of Monday's joint session
of the House of Representatives and Senate.
BANGKOK, Nov.
24 (Xinhua) -- A scheduled Monday Parliament session was called off following
thousands of anti-government protestors led by the People's Alliance for
Democracy (PAD) began the besiege of the Parliament complex and other
establishments in a showdown effort to bring the "Thaksin-proxy" government
down.
Parliament President Chai Chidchob had to make a phone
announcement to cancel the joint House-Senate session originally planned to
start at 9:30 a.m. (0230GMT) Monday.
