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 occurred just outside the protest occupation zone in Bangkok’s prime commercial district, where upscale shopping centers 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.
Abhisit named a renegade army general as a mastermind behind the violence.
Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdiphol, who has been suspended from his army duties, openly joined the Red Shirts and is regarded as one of their chief advisers on military matters, having helped construct the barricades around their downtown encampment.
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 northeastern Thailand arrived Saturday.
The protesters say they agree in principle with Abhisit’s proposal to dissolve Parliament and hold new polls — their key demands — but want more specifics including the exact date for the dissolution.
Violence tied to the protests — including clashes between demonstrators and security forces — has killed 29 people and wounded nearly 1,000. The standoff has hammered the economy, decimated the tourist industry and ground government machinery to a near halt.
The Red Shirts include the rural and urban poor as well as pro-democracy advocates. Many are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a populist leader who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and charged with corruption and abuse of power.
