October 13, 2008	Monday	Shawwal 13, 1429

BANGKOK: Thailand’s embattled prime minister on Sunday dismissed calls for his resignation, saying that stepping down would not resolve the country’s deepening political crisis.

“Many groups in society are calling for me to resign or dissolve the Parliament,” Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said in a nationally televised address.

“I am not attached to my position,” he said. “However, I am not confident that is the right solution.”

Anti-government protesters have demanded that Somchai resign to take responsibility for violent clashes on Tuesday between protesters and riot police that killed three people and wounded nearly 500 protesters. It was the worst political violence in Thailand in over a decade.The clashes turned violent after police fired tear gas to disperse protesters who were trying to block Parliament to keep Somchai from delivering his first policy statement to lawmakers. Somchai was sworn in on Sept 25.

Protesters have accused riot police of using excessive force and say they will stage a large demonstration later in the week outside Bangkok’s police headquarters. The rally was initially planned for Monday but would be postponed to pay respect for two victims whose remains were to be cremated that day, protest organizers said.—AP