Friday, March 27, 2009

Thai Politics: PM refuses to resign

By: BangkokPost.com,
AFP

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reiterated his refusal to step down on Friday, the second day of the anti-government protest ringing the Government House complex.



"Whether I resign or do not resign from my position will be determined under the normal political proccess," he told reporters at the parliament building.

"I have no engagements there [Government House] today but if I have time I will go there,'

''Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reassures me there is no problem and we are still going into the compound," he said.

An estimated 30,000 supporters of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) surrounded Government House on Thursday, but police estimated numbers had fallen to about 3,000 on Friday morning.

Security there remained high, with 6,000 soldiers and 3,200 police deployed.

Mr Suthep said he would assess the situation before deciding whether to enter the complex on Friday.

If the protesters obstruct his entry, the deputy prime minister said, he would not try to force his way in, so they could not accuse him of provoking violence.

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said in a phone call to his supporters at the rally on Thursday night that he would call in again on Friday and Saturday.

Thaksin's plan to address the protest by video link did not happen. He claimed the link was being blocked.

Source: Bangkok Post

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