ABHISIT WILL NOT RESIGN

BANGKOK, March 15 (Bernama) - As the noon ultimatum given by the red shirts
anti-government protesters for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign or
dissolve the parliament approached, the premier today reiterated his stand not
to bow to both demands.


"I will not step down or dissolve the parliament," he told reporters at the
11th Infantry Regiment in Bang Khen district, here, where the government has
set up a command centre to monitor the mass rally.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which led the mass
rally here issued a 24-hour ultimatum from noon yesterday for the government to
meet their demands.

They walked for more than 5km from the Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamneon
Avenue to the command centre this morning to get their answer from the
government.

The prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Security Suthep
Thaugsuban and military and police top brass usually operate from the command
centre which was set up after the government invoked the Internal Security Act
from March 11 to 23 in seven provinces including Bangkok.

The prime minister said the government would continue to maintain peace and
security in the country and there was no report of violence throughout the
past three days of demonstration.

Immediately after the news conference at 10.15am, Abhisit took a helicopter
with Transport Minister Sopon Zarum to monitor the traffic situation in this
capital.

The main group of the red shirts had not arrived at the command centre when
Abhisit left.

It was reported that the red shits have threatened to surround the centre
and hold its occupants hostage unless their demands are met.

Security at the military base, which houses the command centre, has been
tightened with additional reinforcement.
-- BERNAMA