Bangkok:Thailand s Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will not quit despite an escalating campaign opposing his rule, a government spokesman said today.

Rallies by the People s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) continue to loudly demand the resignation of the government which they say is too close to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Somchai's brother-in-law.

"The Prime Minister insisted that he will continue to run the country as he has a mandate from the people because the government is not convinced that either House dissolution or resignation will solve the crisis," Natthawut Saikua told reporters.

"These two scenarios would not stop PAD from protesting as PAD s true objective is to overthrow the democratically elected government and replace it with the government they want," he said.

Earlier today Somchai cancelled trips to neighbouring Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar planned for next week.

Somchai is struggling to govern Thailand amid PAD rallies that flared Tuesday and show no signs of abating.
Source : PTI