Thai Deputy PM: Government Ready To Talk With Protesters

BANGKOK, November 30 (TNA) - Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnog has reiterated that the government is prepared to talk with the protesters in a bid to end political turmoil in the country. Pol. Gen. Pracha, who oversees security affairs, said during the weekly TV and radio programme on Saturday morning that the government is ready to discuss with core leaders of the protesters. The government will neither dissolve parliament nor resign, he said, adding that security officials will not use force against the protesters. The deputy premier’s remarks were made after Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of an anti-protesting group, told protesters Friday night to seize more state offices Saturday and Sunday. Protesters are now occupying the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road and the Finance Ministry. They plan to seize the CAT Telecom and TOT buildings which are located near the Government Complex along with more provincial halls. Mr. Suthep, a former deputy prime minister in the previous administration, announced that protesters will seize the Government House, the Parliament, the Royal Thai Police, the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Laour Ministry which now temporary houses the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order, the Commerce Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Sunday. Civil servants are urged to stay from work, starting next Monday. Protesting groups along with academics and businessmen have now formed a single command under the name the ‘People’s Committee to Change Thailand to Complete Democracy under the Monarchy’ having Mr. Suthep as its secretary-general. The aim of the protesters is to topple the coalition government and form a ‘people’s council’ which would appoint a ‘people’s government’ eventually. (TNA)