Thai PM pleads to end street protests
Thailand's prime minister pleaded yesterday for an end to two months of street protests paralysing part of the capital and an acceptance of his reconciliation plan that has been stalled by fresh violence.
Hopes that the prolonged protests by so-called Red Shirt demonstrators would end without further bloodshed were dashed when two attacks Friday night killed two policemen and wounded 13 people. The violence happened just outside the protest occupation zone in Bangkok's prime commercial district, where upscale shopping centres and hotels have been shuttered for weeks.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on nationwide television to ask all parties to accept his five-point reconciliation plan, which includes new elections Nov. 14.
"Don't hesitate. If you agree with the reconciliation, quit the demonstration and start working together," he said. He described those instigating violence to undermine peace efforts as "terrorists" who would not be granted amnesty. He also promised to address some of the grievances of the protesters, including rural poverty and social injustice.
The Red Shirts say their own proposal will be unveiled in coming days and would be open to negotiations. They are refusing to leave the protest site until their demands are met, and an estimated 5,000 reinforcements from north-eastern Thailand arrived Saturday.
Comments