PAD, Somchai say no to Anupong's compromise

Stranded passengers take a rest near airline check-in counters at Suvarnabhumi airport. Alldepartures were cancelled yesterday and most airlines redirected arriving flights. SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL

Protesters settle in at airport, PM won't quit

POST REPORTERS

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and the People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday rejected a call by army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda for compromise with a new election and an end to anti-government protests in the wake of Suvarnabhumi airport's shutdown.

The airport was closed from Tuesday for security reasons after PAD demonstrators stormed its passenger terminal.

Core PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul said the anti-government group would stay there for a few days to bring down the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

But the Civil Court last night ordered them to leave after a request by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), which controls all international airports in the country.

Plans to end the PAD rally at the airport will be high on the agenda at a cabinet meeting to be held in Chiang Mai today.

Hours before Mr Somchai returned from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru to Chiang Mai, Gen Anupong advised that he dissolve the House and urged the PAD to vacate Suvarnabhumi.

The call was made at a meeting of a panel monitoring the political situation with high-level government officials, academics and security officials chaired by the army leader.

But the prime minister last night rejected it, saying he would neither order a dissolution of the House nor resign from his post.

"This government has legitimacy. It came through the election process by voters across the country," he said in an address to the nation and stressed the need for him to stay in power to protect democracy and maintain the rule of law.

He demanded the PAD leave Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, along with Government House as the seizures were damaging the country.

A government source said Mr Somchai had consulted other coalition parties immediately after arriving in Chiang Mai and all of them agreed with the prime minister's stance.

PAD core member Pibhop Dhongchai said the PAD remained firm in its stand that Mr Somchai must step down unconditionally. According to the PAD, negotiations would be made possible only by Mr Somchai's departure.

Upset by the army chief's proposal, members of the People Power party (PPP) threatened to petition Mr Somchai, also the defence minister, to sack Gen Anupong from his post.

Acting PPP spokesman Kudep Saikrachang lashed out at the army chief's proposal, saying it was "silly, naive, irrational and improper."

He said that Gen Anupong should have taken action against the PAD demonstrators who had clearly violated the law by storming the airport.

But the prime minister refused to take action against the army chief, despite speculation that he was not satisfied with Gen Anupong due to his failure to keep control of the country.

An army source said Mr Somchai and Gen Anupong would talk by phone today to patch up their differences.

In a press conference, Gen Anupong said those attending the meeting agreed that both the coalition government and the PAD shared a prominent role in getting the political unrest resolved.

"We are not pressuring the government, but suggesting a solution. The people should get a chance to decide the future in fresh elections," he said.

He stressed that he was not staging a coup as he believed it would not end the political unrest.

He also shrugged off speculation that the suggestion could cost him his job.

"The government still has full power. If I was afraid of being sacked, I would not have made this suggestion. I would have staged a coup and I would have the full authority. I chose not to because it will not solve the problem," he said.

A source close to the meeting said certain representatives from the private sector suggested use of "necessary" force to take back Suvarnabhumi airport.

Their proposal was opposed by Gen Anupong who also disagreed with Mr Somchai's resignation out of fear that he would be seen to be taking sides with the PAD.

After meeting for two hours, the army chief concluded that a House dissolution was the best option, said the source. Other military leaders held back from expressing their opinions.