By D. Arul Rajoo, Bernama,
Bangkok : Embattled Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Thursday reiterated his stand not to resign despite the ongoing political crisis and ruled out dissolving the parliament to end the deadlock with anti-government protesters.
In a live radio broadcast over Radio Thailand this morning, the 72-year-old premier, who led the People’s Power Party (PPP) to victory in the Dec 23 election, said he had a responsibility to protect the people, democracy and the monarch.
“I will not resign, I will not bow to them (protesters). I will never jump from the boat as it’s my responsibility to take care of people inside it,” the former Bangkok governor said as thousands of supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) continue to occupy the Government House, the country’s centre of administration since Aug 26.
After strong speculation since last night that he was going to announce his resignation this morning, Samak said he was very sorry to disappoint many people who were waiting for him to step down.
But he confirmed that his Foreign Minister, Tej Bunnag, had resigned due to pressure from many people, including Tej’s wife who did want him to be associated with the current government.
“I am not disappointed with him as I understand his situation. He was a career diplomat and could not stand political pressure…but other Cabinet ministers and myself are seasoned politicians and we can go through this uphill,” Samak said.
On Tuesday, Samak declared a state of emergency after clashes between PAD and pro-government supporters which left one dead and 40 injured, giving power to the military to take charge of security in the capital while restriction was put on political gatherings.
Samak defended the state of emergency, saying that it had not affected the daily routine of the 10 milion Bangkokians and ruled out the possibility of the military staging a coup.
But Samak, who is also the Defence Minister, warned PAD leaders that time was running out for them to leave the Government House and told them to surrender themselves.
“Soldiers will have to evacuate them using soft approach. For those coming to support PAD, I want to ask what is their goal. The conflict is not good for the country as the whole world is watching,” he said.
The PAD, which organised massive demonstrations in 2006 that led to the ouster of prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a coup, took to the street again on May 25 to demand Samak’s resignation as they claimed that his government is a proxy of Thaksin who is now seeking asylum in Britain.