Thailand's Cabinet agreed Thursday to hold a referendum on a civic group's street campaign to oust the prime minister, which has paralyzed the government for the last 10 days and raised fears of violence and economic chaos. The decision came hours after a defiant Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej went on national radio and vowed he would not step down. His combative speech intensified the deadlock with the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose supporters have taken over the sprawling lawns of Samak's office in their thousands since storming through the gates on Aug. 26.
The decision came hours after a defiant Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej went on national radio and vowed he would not step down.
His combative speech intensified the deadlock with the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose supporters have taken over the sprawling lawns of Samak's office in their thousands since storming through the gates on Aug. 26.
