Thai protestors call off talks with government
A Thai protest leader said his group was pulling out of talks with the government since the prime minister rejected their revised demand that he dissolve Parliament in 30 days, instead of immediately.
There had been guarded hope earlier today that the two sides could peacefully resolve the crisis paralysing the government.
But protest leader Nattawut Saikua said that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s refusal to compromise made it pointless to continue talks.
The breakdown dashed hopes for an imminent peaceful resolution to the deadlock, which has been punctuated by increasing hostility and bloody street violence.
The protesters, known as the Red Shirts, had previously demanded Parliament be immediately dissolved, but softened that stance Friday, offering the government 30 days to disband the legislature in a move they said was aimed at preventing further violence.
But Vejjajiva was quoted by Thai media today as rejecting the proposal.
Nattawut Saikua said that with their compromise rejected, there was no point in continuing talks.
“These negotiations will stop. We will not talk any more,” he said.
