PM ready to quit or dissolve House

The prime minister said yesterday that he was studying the pros and cons of his available alternatives, which included resignation and dissolution of the House of Representatives, in the wake of last week's violent crackdown on protesters.

"I'm not attached to the idea of being prime minister," he told reporters during an interview at his home yesterday evening.

When asked if he would resign or dissolve the House, the premier said: "It's an issue that I must consider, what's best in both the short and long term.

"I have to study the pros and cons of each scenario, such as dissolving the House or resignation," he said.

Somchai had mentioned his available alternatives in previous interviews with reporters.

The PM's People Power Party was expected to hold a meeting of its MPs and key figures early this week to discuss the current political situation.

Conclusions from the meeting are likely to sway the prime minister in any important decision about himself and his government.

Somchai, who has held the job for little more than three weeks, is struggling to govern the country amid political protests that show no sign of abating.

On Friday, his spokesman insisted he would not quit, but in the past few days senior military leaders have put pressure on him to make a decision on his future and solve the crisis.

Air Force commander-in-chief ACM Itthiporn Supawong said yesterday that the armed-forces commanders regretted last week's political violence. He said he agreed with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, who on Friday said he held the government responsible for the violence.

"I think the prime minister should spend time alone thinking about what happened. I'm sure he well knows what to do," said the Air Force chief.

General Songkitti Jaggabatara, the armed forces supreme commander, said yesterday that he had told the government to solve the political problem.

When asked about the possibility of a coup to end the crisis, he said: "As of now there is no coup. It's not the time for the military to step in."

Somchai insisted there was no rift between himself and the military, however. "I am still talking to them; there is no conflict," he said.

Last Tuesday, police fired tear gas on demonstrators who had blockaded Parliament to prevent Somchai from delivering his policy address.

Bloody clashes that followed between the protesters and police left two dead and at least 478 injured in the worst street violence in Bangkok in 16 years.

Somchai has since announced an independent investigation into the incident, but the PAD said on Friday it would hold further rallies tomorrow.

Yesterday the premier called on the PAD to reconsider the protest.

"Our country is in turmoil: is this only the government's fault?" Somchai said.

"I want to ask the protesters not to create more disturbance. I am ready to talk. They are Thai, so we speak the same language."