Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded on Sunday a speedy end to anti-government protests that have stifled the economy, after renewed violence in Bangkok raised the death toll from the crisis to 29.
He said he would not abandon efforts to find a peaceful solution but also appeared to be running out of patience with "red shirt" protesters, telling them he wanted a reply within a day or two to his proposal to hold an early election on November 14.
The red shirts have been demonstrating in the capital since mid-March, at first demanding immediate elections, and have been camped out in an upmarket shopping district since April 3, forcing malls and luxury hotels to close.
"No matter how the political situation evolves, I affirm that the government will stick to the reconciliation plan and we have already started the process," said Abhisit, who does not have to call an election until the end of 2011.
He added that the deal he proposed on May 3 would be off if violence continued, and seemed to rule out negotiations. "All parties have to cooperate and there should be no violence. If we can do that, the election will happen. If not, it won't happen," he said in a weekly-televised address.
His proposals call for reforms to address social injustice, a big red shirt grievance; an independent body to ensure unbiased reporting by the media; a committee to investigate violence; and political reform, possibly including constitutional amendments.
The red shirts, drawn mainly from the rural and urban poor, insist they will not be rushed. One of their leaders said on Sunday they wanted an investigation into the events of April 10, when a failed military attempt to break up the protest led to a gunbattle in which 25 people were killed.
"The government hasn't showed who was responsible for killing people yet," Jatuporn Prompan told reporters. "How could it lead to reconciliation? We have to be clear on this because it is the key issue."
The protesters want Abhisit to set a precise date for dissolving parliament and a say in any constitutional changes. They have promised a response by May 15 - too late for Abhisit. "There should be a clear answer today or tomorrow so that we can move ahead," he said. "As for my proposal, it's non-negotiable and nobody can propose conditions." Two policemen were killed and 13 people wounded in gun and grenade attacks late on Friday and early on Saturday, the latest violence linked to the protests that have crippled Bangkok and scared off tourists.
More than 1,000 people have been wounded during the unrest. The red shirts denied involvement in the attacks, which will add to pressure on Abhisit from the Bangkok middle classes and elite to take a tougher line with the protesters.
US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, passing through Bangkok en route to Myanmar, welcomed the peace plan and said he was encouraged by the protesters' positive response.
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