Thai govt Rejects army call To Dissolve Parliament

This news updete by www.zeenews.com




BANGKOK: The Thai government today rejected calls from the country's army chief to dissolve parliament and call a new election because of escalating anti-government protests. The crisis deepened as a pro-government gang shot dead an opposition protester in the northern province of Chiang Mai. The embattled prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, was due to address the nation on television but this was cancelled at the last minute. The army chief, General Anupong Paochina, urged the government to step down and called for a withdrawal by demonstrators who shut down the country's main airport, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. Nattawut Saikuar, a government spokesman, said: "The prime minister has said many times that he will not quit or dissolve parliament because he has been democratically elected." Somchai returned to Thailand today after an Asia-Pacific summit in Peru and is due to have an audience with King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thai media reported that Somchai landed at a military airport in the north of the country. His flight had to be rerouted and his handlers were careful not to give details of his destination. Reports said he might declare a state of emergency in Bangkok.


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