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BANGKOK : Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej holed up at his heavily-guarded home on Saturday as protesters vowed to continue defying emergency rule and hold marches demanding he step down.
About 150 riot police surrounded the 73-year-old premier's home, where a government spokesman said Samak is resting, as a state of emergency across the capital continued through a fifth day.
"The prime minister has no official functions today. He is resting at home," Wichianchot Sukchotrat said.
Samak declared emergency rule across Bangkok on Tuesday following violent street clashes between his supporters and anti-government protesters, who have occupied the main government complex since August 26 calling for him to resign.
Emergency rule, which prohibits gatherings of more than five people, continues to be flouted. Two university students were shot Friday night by unidentified gunmen as they marched towards Samak's home, and about 5,000 people remain at the capital's protest camp.
University students also planned to hold marches Saturday afternoon.
The military has not supported the emergency law, and Samak signalled his frustration on Friday at his increasing isolation.
"We have failed to tackle this problem through the courts, the military or by declaring a state of emergency. All has failed," he said, adding that emergency rule may soon be lifted.
The protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are an unlikely mix of royalists, business tycoons and unionists. They staged mass rallies against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006, accusing him of corruption and paving the way for a military coup.
PAD accuse Samak of acting as Thaksin's puppet, and say they want to change the electoral system to weaken the influence of poor voters to ensure that their political allies do not return to power.
PAD has rejected plans to hold a national referendum on the crisis, and on Saturday declared the use of neutral parliamentary mediators as a non-starter.
"We appreciate all well wishers, but we cannot hold talks with anybody until the government is out," said Chamlong Srinuang, one of the PAD leaders.
- AFP/vm
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