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Thai army chief won't use force against protesters

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-02 16:53

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand's army chief has vowed not to use force against protesters following the prime minister's declaration of emergency rule.

A group of Thai anti-government protestors fighting in a street on September 2 near Government House in Bangkok. Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has said that protesters must leave the main government complex they occupied one week ago, citing a state of emergency he has imposed in the Thai capital. [Agencies]

Related readings:  'I will never resign' - besieged Thai PM  Thai military reshuffle endorsed by King  State of emergency declared in Bangkok

Army Commander Gen. Anupong Paochinda told a news conference Tuesday that the military was "on the people's side."

He said that if the military needs to get involved in the country's political crisis they will not have weapons and "will not use force."

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency earlier Tuesday after overnight clashes between government opponents and supporters left one person dead and 43 injured.

The violence heightened a national crisis that started a week ago when opponents of Samak occupied the grounds of his official compound and refused to move until he resigned.