Thai PM seeks audience with King

Updated October 14, 2008 20:34:38

There's speculation Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat may resign or seek to dissolve parliament. It follows his request to have an audience with Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Prime Minister needs the King's approval before proceeding with either of the two options.

Presenter: Claudette Werden

Speaker: Dr Surin Maisrikrod,

MAISRIKROD: Y'know this Prime Minister is having a legitimacy problem, letting people can interpret his meeting with the King from the point of view that he is probably under great pressure. He is under great pressure from his oppression of the protesters at the parliament of the 7th of October and the military is also calling for responsibility from him, over that event so that's why when he met with the King it lead to this speculation that he might have to do something in terms of dissolving the house, or himself resigning but definitely he is under great pressure at the moment from all sides, which could also be from the Palace as well

WERDEN : I think the Queen attended the funeral of one of the protesters

MAISRIKROD: Yes that's correct, that is symbolically very significant, it's another way of putting pressure on the Prime Minister to show his responsibility over the event.

WERDEN: Well what are the likely chances he will either resign or dissolve parliament.

MAISRIKROD: It is very likely now, there is very little way out for him at this point to stay on, the pressure from the PAD, and the pressure from the military and now clearly the pressure from the palace.