PM Samak 'will continue working' at besieged Government House

BANGKOK, June 21 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said
Saturday he would continue going to work at Government House Monday
although it is now surrounded by protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a coalition of activists who want him to resign from office.
Speaking to journalists after visiting four police officers -- including two women -- who were injured Friday after demonstrators pushed aside barricades put in place to prevent them from marching to the Government House, Mr. Samak, also defense minister, insisted that he would not move his office.
Mr. Samak, whose administration took office in February, said he would report on the PAD's movements and the new environment of Government House during his weekly TV and radio address on Sunday.
Meanwhile, national police chief Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan said he still does not believe the ongoing PAD demonstration will get out of control, but appropriate officials will need to reassess the situation again to see if the protestors would give access to cabinet ministers to enter the Government House to attend a weekly meeting next Tuesday.
The crowd of PAD members and their alies have blocked the entrance to the Government House since Friday afternoon.
The democracy actiivists have also built a platform in front of the prime minister's office at which PAD leaders and members take turns to criticise the government.
The PAD wants Mr. Samak and his ministers to leave office, charging them of being nominees of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.