by Ling Shuo

    BANGKOK, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted through the Radio of Thailand on Thursday morning that he will not resign although the anti-government People 's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) pressed him by occupying the Government House.

    "Who said I will resign? How could I resign? I cannot resign," Samak said. "I need to uphold the rule of law because we are not a barbaric country."

    Samak said he will stay in office to protect the country's democracy.

    He said "the country needs a leader, and the world is watching us."

    Earlier, some media featured reports that Samak would step down to meet a demand from the 102-day street protest in Bangkok.

    "I am so sorry to let all of you to be sad because I will not resign as you estimated," Samak said, "I have to protect the country's politics. I have to protect the monarch system."

    The prime minister said that events would eventually become smooth "in order to protect democracy."

    He said soldiers would soon use lenient approach to clear protesters from the Government House.

    He said the protest inside the Government House would be ended as soon as possible but the government would not use violent measures to deal with the protesters.

    Samak also urged the nine leaders of the PAD to surrender and defend themselves in court.

    While referring to the protesters, Samak said "you should think carefully what are you doing now and what are you doing for."

    He said the PAD had no concrete goals for their campaigns so the people should not join the protests.

    Meanwhile, Samak explained the foreign minister Tej Bunnag's resignation.

    Samak said Tej resigned because of pressure from many sides, including his wife. "Tej sent me a letter, explaining that many sides pressured him to resign. He said even his wife could not tolerate him working with this government."

    Samak thanked Tej for having helped the government work and said he had no conflicts with Tej. He said he would send flowers to Tej' s wife as well.

    Samak also doubted that what will the idea of "new politics" suggested by the PAD bring for the country. As the PAD said, the country "must follow a new politics by forming a cabinet with 30 percent from elections and 70 percent from appointments."

    "Our country already has democracy. So, I would like to ask academics whether they will accept the idea of new politics," Samak said.

    During his radio speech, Samak also ruled out the possibility of dissolving the House of Representatives. He said dissolving the House of Representatives is not a proper way to solve the problem because the PAD will continue their rallies if he again wins the election.

    Earlier, Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the PAD core leaders, insisted that "Samak and his government have to go. If he dissolves the House, we will continue rallying."

    The PAD, who occupied the Government House since Aug. 26, has suggested four conditions for the government to end of the mass rally. The conditions are that the government must promise not to amend the charter in its favor; to observe the Constitution Court's order over the Preah Vihear temple; to suspend all mega-projects; and to commit to political reform and increased public participation in politics.

    Still, PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said Samak's resignation would not mean the end of the rally if the new premier or cabinet continues to serve the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

    Soon after Samak's one-hour radio speech, PAD's leader Sonthi Limthongkun said on the rally stage that the PAD will continue its demonstration until the whole cabinet steps down.