October 7, 2008
BANGKOK (AFP) - A recently appointed deputy prime minister in Thailand, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, resigned on Tuesday because of a crackdown on fresh anti-government protests.
In a resignation letter seen by AFP, Chavalit, one of five deputy prime ministers, said his role as chief negotiator with demonstrators had been compromised after police twice fired teargas to disperse crowds Tuesday morning, injuring 116 people.
"The reason I resign is because what the security officials have done is not in line with what I had promised and I have attempted to avoid casualties," Chavalit's letter said.
"I consider that I have to take responsibility for the injuries... I quit as deputy prime minister post as of now," it said.
Recently appointed Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat had tasked Chavalit with ending a six-week occupation of the main government compound by the People's Alliance for Democracy, a coalition of protesters calling on the government to step down.
The group marched to nearby parliament late Monday to protest plans to amend the country's constitution.
Talks between the PAD and government were already in jeopardy after two PAD leaders were arrested on charges of treason over the past week.
