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Embattled Thailand PM pledges he will never resign

30/08/2008

Thailand's prime minister Samak Sundarajev insists he will never resign despite anti-governent protests which have prevented him from reaching his office since Tuesday.

Mr Samak earlier held an unexpected meeting in the coastal town of Hua Hin with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who usually stays out of politics. The King pledged his support to the belegaured premier, according to reports.

Thousands of protesters occupy government offices in Bangkok. It has left hundreds of tourists stranded with three regional airports remaining closed while rail travel has been disrupted.

While attending a ceremony to honour the crown prince at a sports stadium in Bangkok, Mr Samak said: "I will never resign in response to these threats."

The protesters accuse the government of being a front for the exiled former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Thaksin, the owner of Manchester City football club, was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and fled to Britain to avoid facing trial over corruption charges.

The protests against Mr Samak's government are being led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Mr Samak, who won elections in December and formed a coalition in February, has vowed to handle the crisis without trying to drive the protestors from his office.