Unsettled Army situation keeps PM in Chiang Mai

Prime Minister Somchai has no schedule yet to return to Bangkok, Suparat said, adding the decision to stay in Chiang Mai fro the time being is as part of security measures.

"It is mainly because the army situation is still unsettled. And from now on, PM's schedules will be confidential. Reporters will not be informed of his schedules," she said.

Somchai has chosen to stay in Chiang Mai after returning from Peru as anti-government protesters seized Don Muang and Suvarnbhumi airports. He declared state of emergency on both airports on Thursday from state-run NBT station in Chiang Mai.

In the programme, Somchai dismissed an increasing call from the situation monitoring panel under the Army for him to dissolve the House.

On Thursday, the situation in the capital was extremely tense as coup rumours spread after the premier shot down calls by the army to step down to solve the political turmoil.

The embattled premier will chair Friday a teleconference with governors and senior officials nationwide from Chiang Mai's City Hall.