Samak tries to defuse crisis

Thailand launched a special parliamentary session last weekend to defuse a spiraling political crisis caused by the occupation of Government House — the government’s administrative headquarters — by thousands of protesters for the past week.
Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej agreed to a special joint session of both the upper and lower houses of parliament after police failed to oust thousands of anti-government demonstrators from the seat of government on Friday.
The prime minister is likely to face criticism from the opposition Democrat Party and some senators Sunday for his handling of the Government House crisis, but he has made it clear that he will not resign over the matter.
“I came to power in accordance with the law,” said Samak, addressing his weekly Talking Samak Style television program Sunday morning. “I have done nothing wrong.”
More than 10,000 followers of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stormed and occupied Government House on Tuesday, demanding Samak’s resignation and the dissolution of parliament.
Samak, who heads the People Power Party (PPP), received a political boost last Saturday night before the special parliamentary session when his coalition partners confirmed their support for the besieged premier at a press conference.
The 73-year-old veteran politician was also granted an audience with Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Saturday evening at the monarch’s palace at Hua Hin beach resort, 150 kilometres southwest of Bangkok.
Samak appeared confident after the gaining the royal audience. “Fear can cause damage, but I am not afraid,” said Samak in his weekly talk to the nation.
He blasted the PAD for breaking the law in seizing Government House last week, and trying to create a “spark” to bring down the government.
The PAD’s campaign to bring down the Samak government gained momentum Friday when police tried to forcefully remove the protesters from Government House, injuring a score of people with batons.
The show of police force prompted PAD followers to raid and shut down three popular airports in Phuket, Hat Yai and Krabi, all in southern Thailand.
Airline industry sources said they expected Phuket Airport to be reopened this week.
The labour union of the State Railways of Thailand also shut down several routes nationwide in a show of support for the PAD.
The police were forced to retreat, leaving the PAD in control of Thailand’s seat of government over the weekend.
Samak, who is also defence minister, reportedly wanted to declare a state of emergency to deal with the PAD protest but the proposal was rejected by Army chief General Anupong Paojinda.