It has been reported that Thailand's foreign minister has quit in what would be another blow to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej a day after he invoked emergency rule against protesters seeking to unseat him.
Tej Bunnag, a retired diplomat appointed in July, resigned after completing his mission to repair relations with Cambodia after a temple row that forced out his predecessor, a television channel and news websites said.
Mr Tej once served in King Bhumibol Adulyadej's principal private secretary's office, and his departure could be seen as the revered monarch expressing his reservations about Mr Samak's administration.
News of the resignation came a day after the prime minister invoked emergency rule in Bangkok to quash intensifying street protests against his seven-month old administration.
Mr Samak, who has refused to bow to protesters occupying his official compound for nine days, declared emergency rule on Tuesday after clashes between his supporters and anti-government protesters killed one man and injured 45.
Hundreds of riot police were outside the Government House compound today but made no move toward the thousands of protesters who are camped inside, singing and chanting anti-government slogans.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - a coalition of businessmen, academics and activists who accuse Mr Samak of being an illegitimate proxy of former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra - have vowed to stay until he steps down.
The PAD paints itself as a defender of the revered King and accuses Mr Thaksin and the government of seeking to turn Thailand into a republic - charges they deny.
A public sector strike to pile pressure on the embattled prime minister failed to disrupt electricity, water and transport services in the city of 10 million people today.
Some analysts believe Mr Samak could call a snap election as a last resort, despite his recent refusal to dissolve parliament.
Reuters