Aug. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Thai protests calling for Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to resign spread across the country yesterday, prompting the ruling coalition to call an emergency parliamentary session tomorrow.

Protesters occupied Samak's office compound in Bangkok for a fifth day and forced the closure of airports at resort destinations, stranding tourists as rail, power and airline workers threatened to strike. The Civil Court suspended an order for protesters to leave Government House, and scuffles between protesters and police left 126 injured, Channel 9 news reported.

Samak has pledged a ``soft and gentle'' police response to the protest, amid concern violent clashes could lead to a military coup. Today, he again rejected calls for his resignation, and said he will meet King Bhumibol Adulyadej at his seaside palace in Hua Hin to discuss the growing unrest.

``I will not resign,'' Samak said after a ceremony in Bangkok involving Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to promote unity ahead of Bhumibol's 81st birthday in December. ``I will not dissolve the House. I will meet the king today to report what's going on.''

The demonstrators, largely from Thailand's middle class, want a mostly appointed parliament to take over from Samak's People Power Party, which last year won the first election since a 2006 coup on the back of strong rural support for deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The People's Alliance for Democracy, which has held daily protests for three months calling for Samak's ouster, says he is a proxy for Thaksin, who fled to England on Aug. 11 to avoid corruption charges.

Sondhi's Ultimatum

``If Samak and his government resign, then you should go back to the process of electing a new prime minister,'' said Sondhi Limthongkul, the protest leader. ``And you know whoever wins the vote next time if they do not listen to the people's voice, if they continue the policies of Mr. Samak, then we will come onto the street again and again.''

The benchmark SET Index has fallen almost 22 percent since the People's Alliance began its campaign to oust Samak on May 25, and the baht has fallen 6.7 percent. Political instability has overtaken inflation as the biggest threat to Thailand's economy, the central bank said yesterday.

``If you surrender to those who use unlawful means for the government to resign, then you have to live with this endlessly in the future,'' said Kudeb Saikrajang, a spokesman for Samak's party. ``You set a bad precedent that will hurt confidence among foreign investors looking to do business in Thailand.''

Government House Occupied

Heavy rain last night failed to deter the thousands of protesters who remain camped inside Government House, a venue where the prime minister normally holds official functions and greets foreign dignitaries. Nine protest leaders facing arrest remain inside the gated compound, surrounding themselves with demonstrators including many middle-aged women to deter police.

The royalist protesters accuse Samak's government of disrespecting the king, and held up pictures of the world's longest-reigning monarch to stave off police yesterday.

``In this country everyone says they are respecting the king, but these groups usually cite him just for their own benefit or to attack political opponents,'' said Kanin Boonsuwan, a law lecturer at Chulalongkorn University.

The demonstrators are led by Sondhi, a publisher who supported Thaksin's rise to power in 2001 and turned against him four years later. Sondhi claimed he saw that Thaksin was corrupt, while the ousted prime minister said Sondhi was upset the government didn't award him a television license.

Stuck in Phuket

Thousands of protesters yesterday blocked access to airports in Phuket, Krabi and Hat Yai in southern Thailand, forcing their closure. Hat Yai airport was reopened today, Channel 9 reported.

Phuket airport remained closed as protesters blocked surrounding roads, and may open later today, Wicha Nurnlop, the airport's general manager, said by phone. So far 118 flights have been canceled, affecting the 15,000 passengers who move through the airport daily, he said.

A pro-government rally tomorrow may increase the likelihood of violence.

About 2,000 pro-government protesters gathered at Sanam Luang, a large field a few kilometers from Government House, in preparation for a rally in front of the Parliament. They come from northeast Thailand, home to Thaksin's political base, said Jaran Ditapichai, who led protests after the 2006 coup.

``Since the People's Alliance entered Government House all of these people felt troubled and wanted to do something,'' Jaran said in an interview. ``We told them to keep quiet at first because we thought the government could control the situation, but they could not.''

Society Divided

Sondhi led protests in 2006 that led to Thaksin's ouster and his group retains ties to military leaders. Pallop Pinmanee, a retired Thai general implicated in an assassination plot against Thaksin two years ago, said he plans to take over the People's Alliance if its leaders are arrested.

``Every sector of society is divided, even the military,'' said Kanin, the law lecturer. ``If there is another coup it won't be as easy as last time. Anything can happen now.''

Mostly dressed in yellow to show loyalty to Bhumibol, demonstrators last night wore helmets to protect themselves in case of possible clashes. Inside Samak's office compound, food and water are plentiful as protesters listen to speeches and nationalist songs around the clock.

``We want violence,'' said Pinyapat Jariyasettakarn, a 45- year-old teacher who has joined the protests all week. ``We are tired and we know violence will end things. Win or lose, it's OK; at least it will be over.''

To contact the reporters on this story: Rattaphol Onsanit in Bangkok at ronsanit@bloomberg.net; Daniel Ten Kate in Bangkok at dtenkate@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: August 30, 2008 08:52 EDT