Thai FM urges negotiations to end chaos

Kasit Piromya told an audience Monday at a Washington think tank that Thailand's recent deadly political clashes are part of the “traumatic experience” of forming a better democracy. On the eve of a global nuclear summit, he says Thailand cannot behave “like a banana republic” or Southeast Asia's “problem child.” The latest clashes are part of a power struggle between rural supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and members of the country's traditional ruling elite.
Kasit says the exiled Thaksin must serve his jail term before he could participate in efforts to set up negotiations.