Thailand PM vows not to use force

The Thai PM says he won't use violent means to drive out protesters occupying a government zone in an apparent change of heart. "I have a sword, but I have chosen not to use it," said Samak Sundaravej. Thailand PM vows not to use force Earlier, riot police pulled back from the buildings, where they have been surrounding the occupying protesters since Tuesday. The protesters, who appear to have some powerful and wealthy backers, are demanding that the government resign. They accuse Samak of being a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted by a military coup in 2006. Samak has repeatedly changed his approach to the protesters - prevaricating between advocating a "softly, softly" approach and vowing to take a harder line. In his latest comments, he said he had the weight of the law on his side, but wanted to avoid bloodshed. No reason was given for the earlier withdrawal of riot police from Government House. They were ordered in on Wednesday night, after Samak obtained warrants for the arrest of nine top leaders of the protests on charges of treason. The protests began on Tuesday, when more than 30,000 people took to the streets in a well-co-ordinated action. They have been called by a group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - formed three years ago as a movement to bring down Thaksin. Reluctant Samak has vowed not to bow to the PAD demands for his resignation. But for all his tough talk, the security forces seem reluctant to confront the throng of protesters, says the BBC in Bangkok. Public sympathy for the protesters is wearing thin. However, the PAD has powerful and wealthy backers, and possibly some support within the armed forces. The army commander says troops will not get involved, but the police may not have sufficient forces and equipment to move such a crowd on their own. And the longer they remain in control of the prime minister's office, the weaker his position appears to be.

Thailand PM vows not to use force

Earlier, riot police pulled back from the buildings, where they have been surrounding the occupying protesters since Tuesday.

The protesters, who appear to have some powerful and wealthy backers, are demanding that the government resign.

They accuse Samak of being a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted by a military coup in 2006.

Samak has repeatedly changed his approach to the protesters - prevaricating between advocating a "softly, softly" approach and vowing to take a harder line.

In his latest comments, he said he had the weight of the law on his side, but wanted to avoid bloodshed.

No reason was given for the earlier withdrawal of riot police from Government House.

They were ordered in on Wednesday night, after Samak obtained warrants for the arrest of nine top leaders of the protests on charges of treason.

The protests began on Tuesday, when more than 30,000 people took to the streets in a well-co-ordinated action.

They have been called by a group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - formed three years ago as a movement to bring down Thaksin.

Reluctant

Samak has vowed not to bow to the PAD demands for his resignation.

But for all his tough talk, the security forces seem reluctant to confront the throng of protesters, says the BBC in Bangkok.

Public sympathy for the protesters is wearing thin. However, the PAD has powerful and wealthy backers, and possibly some support within the armed forces.

The army commander says troops will not get involved, but the police may not have sufficient forces and equipment to move such a crowd on their own.

And the longer they remain in control of the prime minister's office, the weaker his position appears to be.