Govt Defiant

Coalition parties yesterday threw their support behind Samak Sundaravej, giving the embattled prime minister a new political lifeline amid growing concerns the ongoing crisis would turn violent.

Antigovernment protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy laid siege to Government House on Tuesday, triggering a national crisis.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, coalition partners of the People Power Partyled government rejected any call for the resignation of Samak.

"He will continue to be our leader," PPP secretarygeneral Surapong Suebwonglee told the media.

He said the government will work to "contribute to the wellbeing of the country" and will work together to look for ways to get out of the current polit¬ical crisis at today's joint Parliamentary session.

"The fact that the Thai Khufa [gov¬ernment seat] was seized does not mean an end to state power," Surapong said. "We had been working all last week and we will continue to work in the coming weeks."

Surapong said he believed the Parliament session will be the best way to get out of the current predicament, and ruled out any suggestion of dis¬solving the House.

"We are not thinking of any other way out, neither dissolving the House nor resigning. This will not be a guar¬antee that this kind of crisis will not reoccur," Surapong said.

 "Does this mean that a government must resign every time a group seizes [Government House]?" Surapong asked rhetorically. "This is like solving a problem on a daytoday basis."

Surapong said today's debate would not touch on the issue of Constitutional reform.

Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silpaarcha said, "There is no need to replace Samak."

Banharn said Samak was busy and therefore could not take part in the press conference.

Leader of Pracharaj Party, Snoh Thienthong, said party politics would be put aside tomorrow when all par¬ties, including the opposition and members of the Upper House, take part in the debate that will be centred on the current crisis.

Adding to the growing concern that Samak may be retreating from his ear¬lier plea that force would not be used to quell the PAD protests, a rival group is gathering in Sanam Luang where, according to a People Power MP, Jatuporn Promphan, up to 100,000 progovernment demonstrators are expected to arrive today.

As of last night, several thousands of progovernment Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) supporters were present at Sanam Luang. They plan to march to Parliament to give Samak much need¬ed moral support.

Samak returned to Bangkok yes¬terday evening after a muchantici¬pated audience with HM the King. Dozens of reporters waited for him but the prime minister managed to elude them by getting off the plane at a dif¬ferent location.

Earlier in the day, Samak had said he sought an audience with HM the King to brief him on the rising politi¬cal tensions following the ongoing protests. He was apparently trying to quash rumours that his audience with the King signalled an intention to step down.

"I will not back down and will not resign as demanded by the protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy. I will continue my duties for the sake of the country. I am appointed as a prime minster by the laws, so if I have to quit, I will quit according to the laws, not because of threats from protesters."

The premier flew to Klai Kangwon Palace late on Friday night, expecting to be granted an audience with HM the King. However, he reportedly failed to do so and returned to Bangkok yes¬terday morning. He then returned to Klai Kanwon Palace yesterday afternoon.