Bangkok - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has chosen a respected career diplomat to become the country's next foreign minister at a time of heightening political crisis for his government, official sources said Saturday.

Samak has named Saroj Chavamaviraj, 66, the new foreign minister and on Friday submitted the appointment to Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej for approval, a foreign ministry source confirmed.

Saroj retired in 2002 as ambassador to France. Prior to his Paris posting he was permanent secretary of the foreign ministry for four years.

Bangkok - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Thursday refused to resign his post despite growing pressure on him to step down after failing to evict thousands of protestors from Government House, the seat of power, for more than a week.

"I cannot leave because under a democratic system no one group can force me to resign," Samak said in a broadcast to the nation Thursday morning. "I will stay on to heal the country's democracy."

Bangkok, Sept 2 : Following serious clashes between protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship of Thailand (UDDT) Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej today imposed a state of emergency in Bangkok till November 30. It was invoked under the Executive Decree for National Administration under an Emergency Situation.

The clashes had left at least one person killed and about 40 injured, reported the bangkokpost. com.

Bangkok - A protest calling for the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and dissolution of his government entered its 100th day Monday, with thousands on demonstrators in command of Government House - the administrative seat.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a loose coalition of conservative groups opposed to the current government, has been staging peaceful anti-government demonstrations on Rajdamnoen Avenue in the old section of Bangkok since May 25.

Bangkok - Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Sunday vowed to stay on in his post despite having lost Government House - the seat of his administration - to protesters for the past six days.

"I came to power in accordance with the law," said Samak, addressing his weekly "Talking Samak Style" television program. "I have done nothing wrong."

Bangkok - Thai Prime Minister Sa