Thai foreign minister quits

Thailand's foreign minister has quit, local media reported yesterday, dealing 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 Mr Samak invoked emergency rule in Bangkok to quash intensifying street protests against his seven-month old administration.

"If it is true, it is another step towards the end of this falling government," Ramkhamhaeng University analyst Boonyakiat Karavekphan said of Tej's reported resignation.

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.