PM Samak confirms he won't resign, despite being threatened

BANGKOK, Aug 30 (TNA) -- Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Walk and Run Rally, Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej announced that he would not resign as he was his country's democratically-elected prime minister, despite call for his resignation from continuing protesters.

Mr. Samak said he would travel to the beach resort town of Hua Hin on
Saturday evening to meet His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to report on
the current situation.

The premier said he had done things in a soft and gentle manner, which
only led the public to rebuke the government's inefficiency. However, he
added, when he decided to enforce the court's injunction that
prohibiting the anti-government protesters from staging their rally at
Government House, he was also scathingly criticised.

"Today, I reaffirm to the Thai people," the premier said, that "I, Samak
Sundaravej, will continue my responsibility as prime minister. I occupy
this post legally and I will never resign, despite threats.

"If I have to step down, it has to be because of the law, not because of
being threatened. The people elected me to administer this country. I
will never avoid my responsibility or feel discouraged, or deterred. I
will maintain peace in this country for centuries to come," Mr. Samak
said.

Meanwhile, the premier's official three-day trip to Japan, set for
Tuesday, has been cancelled due to the current political situation,
according to a report quoted Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.