Samak to withdraw from PM race

Samak Sundaravej will not be a candidate when the Thai parliament votes next week for a new premier, an aide said on Friday, but street campaigners vowed to keep pressure on the government he led for seven months.

"He said he did his best to protect democracy. From now on it's up to the party to decide what to do next," said Thirapol Noprampa, Samak's aide.

His withdrawal was cheered by supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who occupied the prime minister's offices more than two weeks ago in a bid to unseat him.