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Thai PM seeks parliament debate Thai MPs call for Samak to quit
(about 13 hours later)
Thailand's prime minister has called a special session of parliament to discuss continuing anti-government street protests in Bangkok. Opposition MPs in Thailand have renewed calls for the prime minister to resign, at a special session called to discuss continuing anti-government protests.
Thousands of protesters have occupied government offices for a sixth day and the protests have spread to the rail network, with many services disrupted. One politician said Samak Sundaravej's aggressive manner had fuelled protests, including the occupation of the main government compound in Bangkok.
PM Samak Sundaravej has refused to resign, despite the mounting protests. Mr Samak, whose coalition has a sizeable parliamentary majority, rejected the resignation calls.
Protesters say the government is a front for the exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Protesters say his party is a front for former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and has fled the country to avoid facing trial over corruption charges. Mr Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and has fled the country to avoid facing trial over corruption charges. name="goback"> class="bodl" href="#map">See a map of key protest areas in Bangkok
In his weekly radio address, Mr Samak said: "Since the government cannot resolve the problem - even the courts cannot resolve the problem - the joint session of parliament is the best choice for finding a solution." name="goback"> class="bodl" href="#map">See a map of key protest areas in Bangkok Mr Samak called the special session of parliament in a bid to break the deadlock with his opponents.
He again insisted that he would not resign, saying he was not afraid but was concerned about "chaos in the nation". Thousands of protesters have occupied government buildings for six days. The demonstrations have also spread to the rail network, with many services disrupted.
Mr Samak said he did not want to create a "bad atmosphere" by announcing emergency measures. The protest has already developed into a people's revolution Protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Bangkok protests class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584369.stm">Rifts behind the political crisis class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7212682.stm">Profile: Samak Sundaravej
'Revolution' During the debate, opposition MP Jurin Laksanavisit told the prime minister: "You should ask yourself whether you should maintain the premiership."
The special session of both houses of parliament is scheduled to take place on Sunday afternoon. The protest has already developed into a people's revolution Protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Bangkok protests class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7584369.stm">Rifts behind the political crisis class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7212682.stm">Profile: Samak Sundaravej But Mr Samak, whose coalition took power after winning almost two-thirds of the 480 seats in parliament in December elections, hit back at his opponents.
The BBC's Jonathan Head, in Bangkok, said that while Mr Samak's coalition holds a majority in the lower house, he is likely to face strong criticism from opponents, he said. "Your solutions do not show that you want to keep democracy," he said.
On Saturday Mr Samak flew to the coastal town of Hua Hin to hold an unexpected meeting with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who normally stays out of politics. "Why are the only solutions house dissolution and resignation? Why can't we choose the third option, which is to show the world that we maintain our democracy."
Our correspondent says there was no indication that Mr Samak received any encouragement from the meeting. Protest leaders said they were unimpressed by the parliamentary debate and renewed their pledge to continue until Mr Samak leaves office.
One of the protest leaders has repeated a promise that they would not relent until Mr Samak had been forced out of office. Airports reopen
"The protest has already developed into a people's revolution," Sondhi Limthongkul told the Associated Press news agency. Sunday also saw a counter-demonstration by hundreds of government supporters.
Airports reopen, backlog remains On Saturday Mr Samak flew to the coastal town of Hua Hin to hold an unexpected meeting with King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The BBC's Jonathan Head, in Bangkok, says there was no indication that Mr Samak received any encouragement from the meeting.
The protests against Mr Samak's government are being led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).The protests against Mr Samak's government are being led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
On Tuesday, thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings. On Tuesday, thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into official buildings including the prime minister's official compound, Government House.
KEY EVENTS Sept 2006: Bloodless coup by military sees PM Thaksin Shinawatra removed from officeApril 2007: New military-drafted constitution approvedDec 2007: General election won by People Power Party (PPP), seen as reincarnation of Thaksin's now banned Thai Rak Thai party Jan 2008: Samak Sundaravej chosen as PM Feb 2008: Thaksin returns from exileMay 2008: PAD protests against Samak beginJuly 2008: Thaksin goes on trial for corruption; his wife is found guilty of fraud. By mid-August the family has fled to the UKAugust 2008: PAD protests escalateKEY EVENTS Sept 2006: Bloodless coup by military sees PM Thaksin Shinawatra removed from officeApril 2007: New military-drafted constitution approvedDec 2007: General election won by People Power Party (PPP), seen as reincarnation of Thaksin's now banned Thai Rak Thai party Jan 2008: Samak Sundaravej chosen as PM Feb 2008: Thaksin returns from exileMay 2008: PAD protests against Samak beginJuly 2008: Thaksin goes on trial for corruption; his wife is found guilty of fraud. By mid-August the family has fled to the UKAugust 2008: PAD protests escalate
Mr Samak was initially praised for his restraint in dealing with the protests, but he suddenly found his position weakened on Friday when the police pulled back and the triumphant protest leaders were left in control of the government complex. Mr Samak was initially praised for his restraint in dealing with the protests, but he found his position weakened on Friday when the police pulled back, leaving triumphant protest leaders in control of the building.
About 2,000 protesters then besieged the city's police headquarters, prompting the police to fire what appeared to be tear gas to disperse them.About 2,000 protesters then besieged the city's police headquarters, prompting the police to fire what appeared to be tear gas to disperse them.
Protesters also occupied runways in the popular island resorts of Phuket and Krabi, preventing planes from landing and taking off and leaving thousands of tourists stranded.Protesters also occupied runways in the popular island resorts of Phuket and Krabi, preventing planes from landing and taking off and leaving thousands of tourists stranded.
Both airports reopened on Sunday, but were still dealing with a backlog of passengers awaiting flights. A third regional airport, Hat Yai, reopened on Saturday. Both airports reopened on Sunday, and a third regional airport, Hat Yai, reopened on Saturday.
In his radio address, Mr Samak said the protesters had "destroyed Thailand's image as the most attractive tourist destination" and that airport security would have to be reviewed. The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation. It re-emerged after Mr Samak - a former Thaksin ally - was elected last December.
Although the atmosphere was calmer on Saturday, the demonstrations continued outside police headquarters and thousands remained camped out at the prime minister's official compound, Government House. It has a passionate following in various parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite.
The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation. It has re-emerged now that the country is being led by his former ally Mr Samak.
It has a passionate following in various parts of the country, especially Bangkok, and some powerful backers among the elite, our correspondent says.
But it has little support in most of rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him.But it has little support in most of rural Thailand, which voted strongly for Prime Minister Samak, and Mr Thaksin before him.
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