By Leslie Lopez, SOUTH-EAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT

BANGKOK: Thousands of anti-government protesters blockaded Parliament and forced the postponement of a key legislative session yesterday as they stepped up their campaign to bring down the administration of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

But Mr Somchai, who was in Peru for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders, said his government would not be cowed and dismissed speculation of a military coup.

'We came in through democratic elections, so I am not thinking of resigning at all,' he was quoted as saying by Reuters. He added that 'the military themselves have confirmed many, many times that there will not be a coup'.

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