Thai PM refuses to hold elections
Thai protestors at Bangkok international airport
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Wednesday, 26, Nov 2008 07:50
Thailand's prime minister Somchai Wongsawat has refused to dissolve the country's parliament and call elections in the face of anti-government protests.
Earlier today, Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paochinda called on the government to call new elections to help end the current political crisis.
He also called on anti-government protestors to end their demonstration at the country's international airport in Bangkok.
Flights from the international airport have been suspended after the protestors stormed its main building in Bangkok.
The army chief denied suggestions that his comments about an election amounted to a coup, claiming: "The government still has full authority. These points are the way to solve the problem which has plunged the country into a deep crisis.
"If a coup could end all the troubles, I would do it."
Mr Somchai said in a national televised address that his cabinet will hold an emergency meeting later to discuss "measures" against the demonstrators.
He ruled out calling a snap election saying that his government was democratically elected and would continue to work for the good of the country.
Reports suggest some 3,000 passengers have been left stranded after demonstrators took control of Suvarnabhumi airport.
Airport officials have cancelled all outgoing flights and diverted incoming flights to other airports as a result of the demonstration.
Two people were injured on Tuesday night in a grenade blast, with reports suggesting that the leaders of the protest have refused to talk with the Thai government to end the demonstration.
The protest is part of a campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to unseat Mr Somchai.
"Our goal is to shut down Suvaranbhumi airport until Somchai quits," Parnthep Pourpongpan, a spokesman for the PAD, told the al-Jazeera news agency.
Earlier this week the group managed to postpone a joint session of parliament after marching on the country's parliamentary buildings.