The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

Thailand's powerful army chief Thursday piled the pressure on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, saying that if he were in the premier's position, he would resign as protests against his rule drag on. Somchai has been losing allies since two people died in clashes on October 7 between anti-government protesters and police, with opponents and demonstrators calling on him to step down and dissolve parliament.

"I am not prejudiced against any government, but if I were prime minister I would resign. I would not stay in power," General Anupong Paojinda said in an interview with local television. The influential Anupong insisted he would not pressure Somchai to step down, but said the public would be looking for someone to take responsibility for the clashes, which also left nearly 500 people injured.

The army chief again said he would not stage a coup, and denied the military was involved in the recent street violence, which erupted when police fired tear gas to try and stop protesters from blockading parliament.

"Nobody should allow that kind of tragedy to happen-I did not expect that things could turn that bad," he said.

Soon after Anupong's comments, Somchai told reporters that he planned to remain as prime minister until he had overseen amendments to the constitution-a plan with no timeline and one of the prime reasons for the protests.

"I am not attached to the position (of prime minister), but if I am leaving people must be able to live in peace," he told reporters.

An anti-government alliance launched a campaign in May, claiming that the ruling People Power Party elected in December is just a puppet of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who they accuse of corruption and nepotism.