PM refuses to step down

Somchai told at a press conference that he considers as "merely one comment" the call made by Gen Anupong Paochinda, the army chief, during a lengthy TV interview, for him to quit.

Anupong was flanked by the supreme commander, the navy commander, the air force commander and the national police chief when he urged the premier to step down Thursday.

The Oct 7 crackdown resulted in two deaths and hundreds of injuries when police fired tear gas into large crowds of protesters.

Somchai said his administration would continue its duty for the country's benefits.

"We listen to comments from all sides because we are elected by the people," he said at his temporary office in Don Mueang Airport.

Government House, the official seat of power, has been occupied by anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy since Aug 26.

Somchai held the press conference after a meeting of representatives from the six coalition parties, most of who are members of the Cabinet.

Most leaders of the smaller coalition parties, including Natural Resources and Environment Minister Anongwan Thepsuthin, were absent from the meeting.

Somchai said that the six coalition partners had jointly endorsed his decision.

During the hour-long TV interview Thursday evening, Gen Anupong suggested that the government's head should be held responsible for the deadly crackdown.

"If I were the prime minister, I would have already tendered my resignation," Anupong told the TV programme.

When asked by a reporter if the military was attempting to force the premier out of office, Somchai said: "Nobody is doing that. That's your own perception."

Meanwhile, the premier said an independent committee set up by his government will investigate the Oct 7 crackdown and report its findings within the next 15 days.

"Whatever the outcome is and whoever is held responsible, the government will accept it. We have no intention of avoiding responsibility," he said.

Somchai also reiterated the need for his administration to stay on in order to organise three major functions over the next few months - the royal funeral of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana from November 14 to 19, His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5, and the Asean Summit in mid-December.

Somchai also pushed for the setting up of a constitution drafting assembly to pave the way for political reform.

"When the work is done, the government will return power to the people," he said.

Earlier, there was speculation that some figures from the coalition parties of Matchima Thipataya, Chart Thai and Puea Pandin might pull out of the government.

A coalition source said Somchai had sensed that there should be an urgent meeting with coalition partners and an announcement for a fact-finding committee to do its work to give the government a breathing space.

Coalition politicians attending yesterday's meeting included Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart and Agriculture Minister Somsak Prissanananthakul from Chart Thai; ICT Minister Mun Patanotai, Industry Minister Pracha Promnok.

Chart Thai's Somsak said that his party would immediately pull out of the coalition if the probe panel points its finger at the government for the violent suppression.

In a related development, the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday said Somchai's decision to stay on was not a surprise.