Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to stay on despite rumors of resignation

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said on a radio statement this morning that he would stay on to his post to protect democracy in Thailand. The development contrasts media reports that stated he would resign following six days of deadlock between the government and protesters. The prime minister has resisted call for his resignation since protests erupted a week ago in tourist city of Bangkok. If he stepped down, he would have been the second key officials in Asian states to resign within a week, following the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister. Yasuo Fukuda. Asian leaders have suffered embarrassingly low popularity with high inflation and economic uncertainties followed by surging oil and material costs. Leaders in Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Thailand have more than half of its citizens discontent with their government and their leaders. In Hong Kong, a giveaway of HK$11bn to counter inflation had failed to boost Chief Executive Donald Tsang ratings while the Japanese Fukuda had to resign following the announcement of a massive economic stimulus package.