Thai army chief Gen. Anupong tells government to call election

The NY Times reports:

• A government spokesman, Gen. Anupong Paochinda told reporters after meeting with business leaders: “The government should return power to the people."

• Nattawut Saikuar, rejected the recommendation on Thai television late Wednesday. “The prime minister has said many times that he will not quit or dissolve Parliament,” Mr. Nattawut said. “He has been democratically elected. That still stands.”

• Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the leaders of the protests, told a crowd of cheering supporters in front of the airport’s departure hall. “You must quit first and then we will sit and talk.”

Meanwhile, the Thai PM, unable to land at Bangkok's main airport, landed in Chang Mai instead, to the frustration of protesters who had gathered at other regional airports where they hoped to intercept the returning leader. (Chang Mai is a city that is traditionally supportive of the PPP Party which leads the governing coalition).