Thailand’s army and anti-government protesters made tentative peace overtures yesterday, seeking to avoid a looming crackdown and a repeat of clashes that left 25 people dead earlier this month.
The army chief said that the use of force was no solution to Thailand’s crisis, which pits the red-shirted demonstrators against a government they condemn as illegitimate and undemocratic.
“The use of force will not end the current problems and would have many repercussions,” army chief General Anupong Paojinda told a meeting of top brass, according to deputy spokesman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong.
“The best thing is to create understanding among the people. The army’s job now is to take care of the people, and not allow Thais to attack each other,” he said.
Anupong said on Thursday that he aimed to end the standoff without further bloodshed, saying the authorities “can uphold the law with no people dead or injured.”
His comments, which contrasted with warnings earlier this week that security forces were ready to use live ammunition if needed, came amid high tensions in the capital, which is under a state of emergency.
Five grenade blasts hit Bangkok’s financial hub on Thursday night, targeting hundreds of pro-government supporters in attacks that left one Thai woman dead and scores wounded, including foreigners.
Thai police sought yesterday to push the Red Shirts from a confrontation zone on the edge of the financial district where they have clashed with pro-government mobs.
Hundreds of riot police carrying shields and batons moved on the heavily fortified barricades, which form the front line of the Reds’ vast encampment that has paralyzed the main retail district in the heart of Bangkok.
They later withdrew after failing to win an agreement with the Reds, who stepped back, but kept in place the barrier made of truck tires, sharpened bamboo staves and plastic sheeting, which has also been doused with fuel.
Reds leader Veera Musikapong said yesterday they were open to elections in three months as a way out of the crippling deadlock — a step back from their original demand for immediate polls.
“If the government says it will dissolve the House within 30 days, it is negotiable,” he said.
“After the House dissolution, the government will have another 60 days to prepare for elections. In total it will be 90 days. But the government has to stop threatening people and show responsibility for what has happened,” Veera said.
Authorities are under pressure to end the street rallies, which broke out last month, but tensions are still high after April 10 clashes triggered by a failed attempt to disperse the Reds left 25 people dead and more than 800 injured.
The escalating crisis has triggered alarm at the UN and among foreign governments, which issued urgent calls for restraint and warned their citizens to stay away from the protests or avoid Bangkok altogether.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the grenades in Thursday’s blasts were fired from within the sprawling Red Shirt encampment, but leaders of the protest movement denied they were responsible.
Taiwanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Yang (楊進添) yesterday said no Taiwanese nationals were injured in the grenade attacks.
Yang urged people to refrain from traveling to Bangkok for the time being.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY FLORA WANG
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