US asks Thailand to end crisis through democratic means

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The United States wants Thailand's current political crisis to be resolved through democratic means, a State Department official said Friday amid demonstrations calling on the premier in Bangkok to quit.

"We are following the political situation in Thailand closely," the official told AFP.

"The United States believes differences should be addressed through Thailand's democratic institutions," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Thai police on Friday fired tear gas and scuffled with protesters demanding Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to step down.

Up to 25,000 protesters aligned with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) barricaded themselves in the main government complex, accusing Samak of being a...