Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has rejected calls by the country's military chief to stand down.
Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has rejected calls by the country's military chief to stand down.
Army leader Gen Anupong Paochinda had asked him to call snap elections to end months of political deadlock.
Army leader Gen Anupong Paochinda had asked him to call snap elections to end months of political deadlock.
But Mr Somchai said his government was legitimate and that he would continue to work for the country.
But Mr Somchai said his government was legitimate and that he would continue to work for the country.
The actions of protesters who have occupied Bangkok's main airport and forced its closure were illegal, the prime minister said.
The actions of protesters who have occupied Bangkok's main airport and forced its closure were illegal, the prime minister said.
The protest has left thousands of travellers stranded in the airport and Bangkok hotels.
The protest has left thousands of travellers stranded in the airport and Bangkok hotels.
Speaking in a television address, Mr Somchai said: "I reassure the people that this government, which is legitimate and came from elections, will keep functioning until the end".
Speaking in a television address, Mr Somchai said: "I reassure the people that this government, which is legitimate and came from elections, will keep functioning until the end".
"My position is not important. But democratic values are," he said, from the northern city of Chiang Mai.
"My position is not important. But democratic values are," he said, from the northern city of Chiang Mai.
He returned from a foreign trip earlier in the day but was unable to land in Bangkok because of the protests.
He returned from a foreign trip earlier in the day but was unable to land in Bangkok because of the protests.
Thailand has been in a state of political stalemate since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
Thailand has been in a state of political stalemate since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
Fresh elections at the end of 2007 failed to resolve the crisis, when a party made up of former allies of Mr Thaksin returned to power.
Fresh elections at the end of 2007 failed to resolve the crisis, when a party made up of former allies of Mr Thaksin returned to power.
Protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy have been calling on the government to step down since May.
Protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy have been calling on the government to step down since May.
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Are you in Bangkok? Have you been affected by the anti-government protests? Are you elsewhere in Thailand? What do you think about the current situation? Send your comments using the form below:
