Thai PM repeats his resolve not to quit as protests escalate
Posted: 30 August 2008 1848 hrs

	Photos  of
	Related News • Protesters enter Thai PM's offices, King consulted as protests spread • Thai PM briefs king on protests; police scuffle with demonstrators • Thailand's ruling coalition plans urgent debate on protest crisis • Closure of Phuket, Hat Yai, Krabi airports affect flights from S'pore • Witness says Thai police fire tear gas at protesters

BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej reiterated his resolve not to resign despite the presence of 15,000 protesters camped out for a fifth day at his government offices.

Samak said he would meet King Bhumibol Adulaydej at his seaside palace late Saturday to discuss escalating anti-goverment protests spreading around the country.

"I will have a royal audience with the king. He has granted me an audience at 5:00 pm (1000 GMT) to brief him on the situation," Samak told a thousands-strong crowd, attending an event on national reconciliation.

"I want to reassure the public that I will continue to carry on in my job. I will not surrender, I will not quit," he said before leaving under tight security.

The premier had already flown by private jet from Bangkok to the king's residence in nearby Hua Hin around midnight Friday, a government official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. But, it was not clear if he had met the monarch.

Samak returned to Bangkok on Saturday morning for the previously scheduled function, attended by the king's son Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

King Bhumibol is currently staying at his Klaikangwon palace, whose name means "Far from Worries." Although the king has little formal political power, he holds enormous sway over his subjects and has acted as a referee during past political crises.

Thousands of protesters continued to barricade themselves inside Bangkok's main government complex in the capital Saturday, demanding that Samak resign and accusing him of acting as a puppet for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Skirmishes had broken out Friday as police used shields and batons to deal with angry mobs, causing slight injuries to a handful of protesters.

The protests also spread to southern Thailand, where activists marched on three key regional airports, including on the holiday isle of Phuket.

More than 15,000 tourists remain stranded in Phuket as an aviation official confirmed its airport, along with another in nearby Krabi, would remain closed indefinitely.

- AFP/ir