Thai leader promises vote to end standoff

Thai women attended a concert yesterday on the grounds of the government compound. (Ed Wray/Associated Press)

BANGKOK - Under pressure from antigovernment demonstrators, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said yesterday that he would hold a nationwide referendum to let the public decide how the paralyzing standoff should be resolved.

He said the timing and the specific questions of the referendum had not yet been determined, and critics said the move was a delaying tactic as the government struggled to find a way out of the impasse.

The demonstrators have occupied the grounds of Samak's office for more than a week and he has had to find other locations to conduct government business, including a cabinet meeting yesterday that agreed on the referendum.

Samak said the vote would gauge public support for his government and for the demonstrators. But he said a special law would first have to be passed in the Senate to allow a referendum to be held.

"While waiting for the result of the referendum, the protesters can demonstrate," he said, speaking on a radio program. "I can wait."

Addressing the nation earlier in the day, Samak acknowledged the humiliation of being barred from his office but said he had adapted.

"Am I ashamed that my office has been taken over?" he said. "I have to say, Yes, I'm ashamed. It is not convenient to work outside, but I can do it."

The remarks came in an hour-long broadcast in which he denied a swirl of rumors that he would step down. The Nation newspaper carried a headline yesterday in advance of his address that read: "Samak on Brink of Exit."

He responded with bitter humor, saying, "I have to apologize to the disappointed people who were waiting for me to announce my resignation today."

He said a relatively small group of demonstrators was attempting to overturn the will of the majority, who voted his party into office last December.

"I have to stay in order to preserve democracy and to protect the monarchy," he said, adding, "I have done nothing wrong."

Responding to Samak's address, one of the protest leaders, Sondhi Limthongkul, told the crowd that the prime minister was "lying again," according to a Thai news agency.