PM to meet coalition parties before addressing the nation

The decision came as he will meet coalition parties at the temporary seat of government at Don Muang Airport at 2pm.

Earlier he is scheduled to address in a special television programme at noon to announce his political decision after military chiefs called for him to resign.

Somchai abruptly left Bangsai Arts and Crafts Centre in Ayutthaya province to Bangkok. PM looked tense during his visit to the venue.

Rumours said he may decide to announce House dissolution.

He was under pressure from the military chiefs particularly Army Commander in Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda to resign.

Anupong said in a television programme on Thursday that if he were PM, he would resign over the violent dispersal on the anti-government protesters on October 7.

Somchai arrived at the centre at 10.35am to be briefed about the activities of the centre, which is under the patronage of HM the Queen

He is scheduled to chair a meeting of National Security Council at 2pm at temporary seat of the government at Don Muang Airport. The meeting however was already cancelled.

He would leave Bangkok at 7pm for Ubon Ratchathani to visit soldiers who were injured in a clash with Cambodian troops.

However Somchai did not seem to focus on the briefings of the centre's officials as he kept telephoning and checking messages in his mobile phones. He looked tense and checked information with his aides.