Thai PM refuses to step down

Thai PM refuses to step down
Source: CCTV.com | 06-23-2008 09:48
Thai Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, insists he will not step down. Thousands of protesters have demanded that Samak and his cabinet must resign.

Samak defended himself and his administration on Sunday in the face of thousands of demonstrators camped outside Government House, calling for his resignation.

In his first public comments since Friday's march by the People's Alliance for Democracy, Samak left no doubts about his desire to remain in office.

Samak Sundaravej said, "I'll be patient for our country. I can say this because I am the Prime Minister and I am the Defense Minister. I understand everything even though I have governed the country for four months. I think I can handle the situation but the law still exists"

Samak, who won millions of rural votes on a pledge to revive the populist policies of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, triggered coup fears last month when he vowed to smash the four-week People's Alliance for Democracy campaign.

Samak said the PAD is holding ongoing protests because of their five leaders' hatred towards former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Prime Minister said the rallies are not justified, because Thaksin has no relations with the current government and he is also being tried in court.

Additionally, Thailand's Democrat Party, the country's only opposition party, filed a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister and seven cabinet ministers in parliament. The party hopes to bring down the six-party coalition government led by Samak's People Power Party.




Editor:Zhang Ning

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[rxmxwell2]

somchai wongsawat committed crimes against humanity when, on Oct. 7, 2008, he ordered police with war weapons to shoot directly into the peacefully protesting crowds.