(BangkokPost.com, dpa)
"I will continue my duties for the sake of the country," said Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Saturday, before leaving for an audience in Hua Hin with His Majesty the King.
The besieged prime minister vowed to remain in power, even as thousands of demonstrators occupied his very own office at Government House in a fifth day of escalating protest, and amid signs he was losing support from the military and his coalition allies.
"I will quit according to the laws, not because of threats from protests," said Mr Samak before leaving for Prachuap Khiri Khan and the royal audience.
After police failed to oust the protestors from Government House Friday night, the coalition government called an emergency session of parliament for Sunday.
"This weekend will be critical," said political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak said, a frequent contributor to the Oped section of the Bangkok Post.
"The government is in a dilemma. If they crack down, that may cause a boomerang, but if they don't, they look weak," said Prof Thitinan, who is director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a loose coalition of conservative groups demanding the dissolution of the current government and resignation of Samak, has occupied Government House, the seat of the country's administration, since Tuesday.
About 45 PAD protesters used bolt cutters to break into the Santi Maitree building located in the Government House on Saturday afternoon. They claimed that PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang ordered them to force the doors open so protesters could use toilets there.
Hours later, PAD core leader Pibhop Kosaisuk told protesters not to break into the buildings at Government House.
Violence appeared possible. About 200 members of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), wearing red shirts built a stage at Sanam Luang - not far from the PAD demonstrators - and prepared to show their opposition against the anti-government group.
Phuket's airport remained closed Saturday, leaving scores of foreign tourists standed. Hat Yai and Krabi airport reopened. But train service across the country was at a standstill in sympathy with the Bangkok demonstrators.
Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda on Friday rejected a call by Mr Samak to declare a state of emergency.
"I think the military will support Samak to the point that he doesn't crack down on the demonstrators," said Panitan Wathanayakorn, also a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University who specialises in military affairs.
"To crack down on the (pro-royalist) PAD would not be well received by the military," said Prof Panitan. And Mr Samak will not be able to disperse the mob occupying Government House without the military's support.
"As the crisis continues, Samak's legitimacy is eroding by the day," he said.
"If the PAD succeeds in ousting Samak, it will be a huge setback for Thai democracy," Thitinan said. "It will be the crowning success for the right-wing conservative contingent who are against election- based democracy."
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"I will continue my duties for the sake of the country," said Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Saturday, before leaving for an audience in Hua Hin with His Majesty the King.
The besieged prime minister vowed to remain in power, even as thousands of demonstrators occupied his very own office at Government House in a fifth day of escalating protest, and amid signs he was losing support from the military and his coalition allies.
"I will quit according to the laws, not because of threats from protests," said Mr Samak before leaving for Prachuap Khiri Khan and the royal audience.
After police failed to oust the protestors from Government House Friday night, the coalition government called an emergency session of parliament for Sunday.
"This weekend will be critical," said political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak said, a frequent contributor to the Oped section of the Bangkok Post.
"The government is in a dilemma. If they crack down, that may cause a boomerang, but if they don't, they look weak," said Prof Thitinan, who is director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a loose coalition of conservative groups demanding the dissolution of the current government and resignation of Samak, has occupied Government House, the seat of the country's administration, since Tuesday.
About 45 PAD protesters used bolt cutters to break into the Santi Maitree building located in the Government House on Saturday afternoon. They claimed that PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang ordered them to force the doors open so protesters could use toilets there.
Hours later, PAD core leader Pibhop Kosaisuk told protesters not to break into the buildings at Government House.
Violence appeared possible. About 200 members of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), wearing red shirts built a stage at Sanam Luang - not far from the PAD demonstrators - and prepared to show their opposition against the anti-government group.
Phuket's airport remained closed Saturday, leaving scores of foreign tourists standed. Hat Yai and Krabi airport reopened. But train service across the country was at a standstill in sympathy with the Bangkok demonstrators.
Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda on Friday rejected a call by Mr Samak to declare a state of emergency.
"I think the military will support Samak to the point that he doesn't crack down on the demonstrators," said Panitan Wathanayakorn, also a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University who specialises in military affairs.
"To crack down on the (pro-royalist) PAD would not be well received by the military," said Prof Panitan. And Mr Samak will not be able to disperse the mob occupying Government House without the military's support.
"As the crisis continues, Samak's legitimacy is eroding by the day," he said.
"If the PAD succeeds in ousting Samak, it will be a huge setback for Thai democracy," Thitinan said. "It will be the crowning success for the right-wing conservative contingent who are against election- based democracy."
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