By Piyanart Srivalo,
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has cancelled all of his foreign trips to Asean neighbours next week due to the domestic political turmoil.
Somchai was scheduled to visit Laos tomorrow, the first country that Thai leaders traditionally visit.
The cancellation came amidst suggestion by former deputy premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh that a military coup might be the only way out of the ongoing political crisis.
Chavalit resigned as deputy prime minister following a police crackdown on protesters early Tuesday.
Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda yesterday dismissed Chavalit's suggestion, saying that the military should not take sides in such a political conflict. He added that lessons should have been learnt from the coup of September 2006.
However, the Army chief called on the government to take responsibility for the loss caused by the crackdown. "There are many ways for the government to show responsibility. I don't want to mention them. Everybody involved knows well how to make our country progress," he said.
Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat was in Vientiane yesterday for his first official visit and to prepare for Somchai's arrival.
The prime minister had for weeks planned to visit Cambodia in a bid to mend sour relations resulting from border disputes over areas near Preah Vihear and other Hindu temples in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces.
On Tuesday, at the height of the police crackdown on protesters in front of Parliament, Somchai held a meeting with top brass and other relevant officials about preparations for the Cambodian trip.
The prime minister also planned to visit Burma on Wednesday, Singapore next Friday and Indonesia on October 19.
The government did not give a clear explanation for Somchai's decision to postpone his foreign trip, but one official suggested the premier was not ready to answer questions from Asean colleagues about the domestic situation and violent crackdown. Two people died and more than 400 were injured in Tuesday's events, including more than a dozen riot police.
His Asean colleagues might also have asked about the Thai government's readiness to host the Asean summit to be held in Bangkok in mid-December, the official said.
On questions of his resignation or House dissolution, Somchai said: "The country belongs to all of us, but let me see what I can do for all."
Somchai was scheduled to visit Laos tomorrow, the first country that Thai leaders traditionally visit.
The cancellation came amidst suggestion by former deputy premier Chavalit Yongchaiyudh that a military coup might be the only way out of the ongoing political crisis.
Chavalit resigned as deputy prime minister following a police crackdown on protesters early Tuesday.
Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda yesterday dismissed Chavalit's suggestion, saying that the military should not take sides in such a political conflict. He added that lessons should have been learnt from the coup of September 2006.
However, the Army chief called on the government to take responsibility for the loss caused by the crackdown. "There are many ways for the government to show responsibility. I don't want to mention them. Everybody involved knows well how to make our country progress," he said.
Foreign Minister Sompong Amornwiwat was in Vientiane yesterday for his first official visit and to prepare for Somchai's arrival.
The prime minister had for weeks planned to visit Cambodia in a bid to mend sour relations resulting from border disputes over areas near Preah Vihear and other Hindu temples in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces.
On Tuesday, at the height of the police crackdown on protesters in front of Parliament, Somchai held a meeting with top brass and other relevant officials about preparations for the Cambodian trip.
The prime minister also planned to visit Burma on Wednesday, Singapore next Friday and Indonesia on October 19.
The government did not give a clear explanation for Somchai's decision to postpone his foreign trip, but one official suggested the premier was not ready to answer questions from Asean colleagues about the domestic situation and violent crackdown. Two people died and more than 400 were injured in Tuesday's events, including more than a dozen riot police.
His Asean colleagues might also have asked about the Thai government's readiness to host the Asean summit to be held in Bangkok in mid-December, the official said.
On questions of his resignation or House dissolution, Somchai said: "The country belongs to all of us, but let me see what I can do for all."
