BANGKOK // Samak Sundaravej, Thailand's embattled prime minister, remained defiant yesterday in the face of growing calls for his resignation from protesters who spent their sixth day camped on his office grounds and MPs during an emergency session of parliament.
"It is time for the prime minister to review his role and behaviour," said Jurin Laksanavisit, an MP for the opposition Democrat Party, during the parliament session. "You should ask yourself whether you should maintain the premiership." Mr Samak called the emergency session when it appeared protesters were not about to give up their siege of his office. Thousands of protesters have been occupying key government buildings, including the formal seat of power, Government House, for nearly a week.
They accuse Mr Samak of being a puppet for Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister ousted in a military coup two years ago and who recently fled to London to escape corruption charges at home. Mr Thaksin is expected to file for political asylum in the UK. In the past few days, the protests have spread to other parts the country. Three key airports in the south have been closed as a result, while the national railway workers union is on strike, severely disrupting train travel throughout Thailand.
There has been a significant dip in the number of tourists entering the country, according to government officials. Share values on the Thai stock exchange have fallen by nearly 25 per cent since the recent wave of protests began three months ago. Earlier yesterday, Mr Samak refused to bow to public pressure, insisting in a televised broadcast that he would not resign. "I, the prime minister, have come to office in the appropriate way and I won't resign," he said, referring to last year's election that was won by his People's Power Party. "I will not back down. I will rule this country and will lead it through all of its problems," Mr Samak said.
But most analysts now believe the writing is on the wall for the abrasive leader. "It is only a matter of time before he is forced to resign, probably in the next few days," said Kavi Chongkittavorn, a political analyst with The Nation, an English-language daily newspaper. "He's grasping at straws and has no alternative but to resign gracefully," he said. Mr Kavi said it was likely Mr Samak being advised to step down by senior members of the army and the ruling elite and the parliamentary debate could give him the opportunity to make a graceful exit.
"Having heard what the MPs have had to say [in the parliamentary debate], he can then offer his resignation in the interests of the country." The protests against Mr Samak and his government are being led by an umbrella group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a motley group of anti-Thaksin lobbyists, members of the Democrat Party, students, trade unionists and social activists.
They are believed to be well-financed, reportedly receiving funds from several major Thai businessmen, and enjoy the backing of senior members of the army and the Thai elite. Nine of their leaders have had warrants issued against them for charges including insurrection and inciting unrest. The police so far have not tried to arrest the leaders, who have taken refuge behind the thousands of protesters at Government House.
While there has been little violence during the past week, a skirmish broke out on Friday evening when over 1,000 riot police tried overwhelm the protesters at Government House, throwing tear-gas into the crowd. A few people suffered minor injuries and the police were quickly ordered to retreat. With the pressure mounting on Mr Samak to resign, protest leaders have become more belligerent and confident.
