November 28, 2008
Bangkok - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will still be in Chiang Mai indefinitely due to tensions with the military, according to the government spokeswoman Suparat Nakboonnam.
Somchai was forced to land at the Chiang Mai Airport on November 26 after coming back from Peru.
The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has seized the Don Muang and Suvarnabhumi Airport in order to press the premier to resign.
"As there are still uncertainties in the tensions between the government and army, for his safety the prime minister will stay in Chiang Mai," government spokeswoman Suparat Nakbunnam told AFP.
"He has no schedule to return to Bangkok, he will stay in Chiang Mai indefinitely for his security," Suparat said.
PM Somchai last night declared the state of emergency, assigning Interior Minister Kovit Wattana and police to disperse the PAD protesters at both airports.
He yesterday called the cabinet meeting in Chiang Mai, stronghold and hometown of the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"From now on officials will not disclose the prime minister's daily schedule to outsiders. He will coordinate with ministers by telephone," Suparat said.
Nobody has seen PM Somchai even at his residence on Friday morning, according to reporters in Chiang Mai.
