Friday, October 17, 2008

Thai premier says he won't resign


Anti-government protesters step on a poster of Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat in Bangkok, 10/17/08. Thousands of anti-government protesters were marching through the streets of Thailand's capital, calling for the resignation of Somchai (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit).
BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat says he will stay in power. Somchai says he won't step down despite growing calls for his resignation in the wake of a deadly confrontation between police and protesters last week.

Somchai told a 20-minute press conference Friday that he had no plans to step down. "The government cannot just abandon its work and responsibility," he said. Thousands of anti-government protesters marched through the streets of Bangkok earlier Friday calling for his resignation.

Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda on Thursday hinted that Somchai should step down in the wake of the confrontation between police and protesters last week that killed one demonstrator and injured more than 400 other people.

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