Thai PM says emergency rule not needed to quell protests
Posted: 31 August 2008 1158 hrs

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BANGKOK - Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej again insisted Sunday that he would not resign, but said emergency rule was not needed to rein in massive protests against his rule.

Thousands of protesters from the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have barricaded themselves in at Samak's Government House offices since Tuesday, calling for an end to his seven-month-old administration.

Protests have also spread across the country forcing the ongoing closure of two airports at southern tourist hubs.

"We cannot let the situation in the country go on like this," Samak said on his weekly television address to the nation.

"It must be over, but I will not do anything that will create a bad atmosphere. The announcement of an emergency decree would create a bad atmosphere in the country and to the world."

Brief clashes on Friday raised tensions in the coup-prone kingdom, but the atmosphere around the besieged government compound has since cooled.

"You can express freedom, but do not destroy this country," Samak said.

"What they (the PAD) are trying to do now is overthrow the government. They seized government offices, airports. Is this democracy, or is this is the people's alliance to destroy democracy?"

Samak late Saturday flew down to King Bhumibol Adulaydej's residence in the beach resort town of Hua Hin to talk to him about the situation, and on Sunday tried to quash rumours that the visit may indicate a change in his stance.

"The press expected that I will resign after the audience (with the king)," he said.

“I told you before that I will not resign -- I will stay on to run this country."

The PAD objects to Samak's plans to amend the constitution and his close ties with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

PAD rallies in early 2006 helped lead to Thakin's overthrow in a coup later that year.

Samak has called an emergency session of parliament for 1:30 pm (0630 GMT) Sunday, and about 1,000 government supporters have rallied outside the parliament building to give their backing to the prime minister. - AFP/vm