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Thai rally blames PM for clashes Thai PM 'to stay' despite clashes
(30 minutes later)
Thousands of Thais have blocked streets in Bangkok, distributing graphic photos and CDs of last week's violent dispersal of anti-government protests. Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has said he will stay in office despite calls for his resignation.
The demonstrators blame PM Somchai Wongsawat for the unrest, which killed two protesters and injured hundreds. Mr Somchai spoke after thousands of Thais demonstrated in Bangkok, blaming him for the deaths of two protesters in clashes with police last week.
Mr Somchai said he would stay in office despite calls for his resignation. The army chief has hinted that the PM should step down over the deaths.
The army has promised not to intervene, but the army chief hinted Mr Somchai should resign, saying if he were PM he would have quit over the deaths. Protesters have been demanding the resignation of the government for weeks, saying it is too close to ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
About 5,000 anti-government protesters stopped traffic in central Bangkok, distributing photos and CDs and holding placards calling the prime minister a murderer. Mr Somchai made the announcement after a hastily called meeting of the ruling party's coalition partners.
"The government has a duty to carry on the policies and tasks that are coming up," he told a news conference after the meeting, referring to a regional Asean summit in December, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday and the funeral of a sister of the king.
'No legitimacy'
Pressure has been mounting on the prime minister to resign.
About 5,000 anti-government protesters stopped traffic in central Bangkok on Friday, distributing graphic photos and CDs showing wounds sustained by protesters in their clashes with police last week.
They held up placards calling the prime minister a murderer.
A small number of police kept their distance from the demonstrators.A small number of police kept their distance from the demonstrators.
If I were the prime minister... I would definitely resign Gen Anupong Paochinda
Two people died and nearly 500 people were hurt in last week's clashes outside parliament.Two people died and nearly 500 people were hurt in last week's clashes outside parliament.
The police were accused of brutality for firing teargas grenades that blew off several people's limbs. The police were accused of brutality for firing tear-gas grenades that blew off several people's limbs.
"The truth will show why the government has no legitimacy to run the country," said one of the protest leaders, Somsak Kosaisuk."The truth will show why the government has no legitimacy to run the country," said one of the protest leaders, Somsak Kosaisuk.
Political row The protesters, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), say the government is acting on the orders of Thaksin Shinawatra.
The protesters, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), want the government to step down. They say the government is acting on orders of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Prime Minister Somchai moved to end rumours he might resign.
If I were the prime minister... I would definitely resign Gen Anupong Paochinda
"The government has a duty to carry on the policies and tasks that are coming up," he told a news conference.
Mr Somchai is a brother-in-law of Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup two years ago.
PAD protesters have occupied a central government complex for weeks, demanding the government's resignation.PAD protesters have occupied a central government complex for weeks, demanding the government's resignation.
Mr Somchai took office after the judiciary deposed Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, an ally of Mr Thaksin, last month.Mr Somchai took office after the judiciary deposed Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, an ally of Mr Thaksin, last month.
The army has promised not to launch another coup, but Thursday's statement from Gen Anupong Paochinda was the strongest comment so far from the influential army leader about Mr Somchai, who has been in power for less than a month. Mr Somchai is a brother-in-law of Mr Thaksin, who was overthrown in a military coup two years ago.
The army has promised not to launch another coup, but a statement on Thursday from Gen Anupong Paochinda was the strongest comment so far from the influential army leader about Mr Somchai.
Gen Anupong appeared on television saying: "If I were the prime minister, and a violent dispersal of protesters happened and caused loss of lives and resulted in injuries... I would definitely resign."Gen Anupong appeared on television saying: "If I were the prime minister, and a violent dispersal of protesters happened and caused loss of lives and resulted in injuries... I would definitely resign."
But he denied that the army was trying to pressure the government, and repeated his vow not to launch a coup.But he denied that the army was trying to pressure the government, and repeated his vow not to launch a coup.
The PAD has received support from another source. On Monday the country's queen and her youngest daughter attended the funeral of one of the protesters who died.The PAD has received support from another source. On Monday the country's queen and her youngest daughter attended the funeral of one of the protesters who died.
The entire traditional elite of Thailand appears to be ganging up against a government, which still enjoys the support of millions of rural voters, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok. The entire traditional elite of Thailand appears to be ganging up against a government which still enjoys the support of millions of rural voters, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
With the courts being urged to confiscate most of Mr Thaksin's assets, the aim seems to be to wipe out the foundations of his political power and ensure he cannot return to office, says our correspondent.With the courts being urged to confiscate most of Mr Thaksin's assets, the aim seems to be to wipe out the foundations of his political power and ensure he cannot return to office, says our correspondent.