PM returns to Thailand, says no decision on polls

Bangkok: Thai premier Somchai Wongsawat landed in the northern city of Chiang Mai on Wednesday and said he had not yet decided whether to heed a call by the army chief to dissolve parliament

Air force spokesman Montol Suchookorn said Somchai landed at 1800 hours (IST), an hour after General Anupong Paojinda urged him to call new elections as thousands of demonstrators forced the closure of Thailand's main airport.

"I have not yet made any decision," Somchai told reporters at Chiang Mai airport when asked whether he would dissolve the house.

The premier then left in a van to an unknown location. Montol said he did not knovel to Bangkok.

An aide told AFP by telephone from Chiang Mai that Somchai had no plans to address the nation, but planned to chair a cabinet meeting tomorrow. "Today he will take some rest."

Government spokesman Nattawut Saikaur said it was unlikely that the prime minister would dissolve the house, less than a year after elections brought his People Power Party to office.

"The prime minister has long reiterated that if he has to quit, it would be through democratic means," he told reporters.

"Personally, I think the prime minister will preserve democracy and will not dissolve the house."

He also criticised Anupong for not taking any action as a mob of People's Alliance for Democracy supporters marched to Suvarnabhumi Airport and besieged the main terminal.

"Where was he when they seized Suvarnabhumi? And then the next evening he comes out and tells the prime minister to dissolve the house, although in his position he could have prevented (the airport siege)," he said.