Tue, September 02, 2008
Thailand's army chief has vowed not to use force against protesters following the prime minister's declaration of emergency rule.
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.
