• 
• 

Each side seemed more interest¬ed in scoring points than solving the crisis and winning over the public. The entire session was broadcast live.

Opposition MPs and senators sympathetic to the antigovernment People's Alliance for Democracy called on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign and accused him of being heavy handed in dealing with protesters. He is blamed as the cause of the current political crisis.

"It's time the prime minister reconsidered himself. The longer the prime minister stays the greater the risk of loss of life. The longer the prime minister stays the greater risk to the democratic system," said senior Democrat Party MP Jurin Laksanawisit, adding that Samak was no longer capable of controlling some state enterprises, while some airports have been barricaded by PAD protesters.

Government MPs and Samak meanwhile blamed the PAD and the opposition of undermining the rule of law and government stability by unsavoury means.

Samak said allegations made against him were "farfetched" and claimed the government's handling of the PAD was "gentle". There have been no fatalities so far. He denied the police resorted to tear gas and cast doubt over a picture of police pointing a gun at protesters on Friday.

He added that the matter is being investigated and what appeared to be tear gas was probably fire extin¬guisher fumes. The gun is unlikely to have been police issue.

He said he would take sole responsibility.

Samak said his handling of the protests is unlike the Democrat Party's dealing with the Karen hospital siege of 2000 by "executing" all the rebels.

The remarks led to heated response from Democratic MPs, such as Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who was then foreign minister. He defended the controversial action as right because patients and medical professionals were taken hostage.

Samak accused the opposition and some senators of trying of launch a de facto censure debate after some urged him to resign.

"Your accusations and statements sound like a censure debate. Well, those [watching] at home will at least know that you're on the side of the PAD," he said.

Jurin blamed the government and the PM for being at the root of the current political crisis. He cited issues such as accusations the government was trying to amend the junta-sponsored charter in order to help ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and save the PPP from dissolution, its handling of Preah Vihear temple and the airing of progovernment programmes on state-run NBT.

"The protest didn't simply occur without cause ... The government is the root and the cause of the crisis ... These issues cause increasingly more people to join the protest," said Jurin.

He encouraged the government to cease violent measures against protesters.

Joining the call for Samak to resign is Bangkok elected Senator Rosana Tositrakul. Rosana said it was common political etiquette for the PM to resign given the violent clashes.

She added treason charges against PAD leaders are too harsh and inappropriate.

Samak defended the charges as appropriate, however, adding the PAD wanted to overthrow the government. He said he "tried very hard" to make sure no incidents occurred.

"We must call it gentle and that's why nobody was killed," Samak said of Friday's clashes with police.

PPP MP Jatuporn Phromphan criticised the PAD, saying the group wanted to overthrow the charter by introducing its "new politics" where 70 per cent of future MPs would be appointed.

"This is not people's politics but politics which say no to democracy and refuse to accept the voice of the majority."

"People called me and asked if we have given the country to the PAD already."

Jatuporn accused the Democratic Party of being involved in a conspiracy to overthrow the administration by cutting a deal with the PAD to share power. He said PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul himself confirmed the information.

..