Bangkok standoff continues as Red Shirts issue new demands

Nattawut Saikua, one of the Red Shirts' leaders, said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban must turn himself in and face criminal charges for violence during the two-month standoff. The Red Shirts hold Suthep responsible for a clash with soldiers which left 25 people dead on April 10, as he was in charge of security matters at that time.

Suthep has denied responsibility for the deadly clash that was triggered by an unsuccessful attempt to remove the protesters by force. But a government spokesman said Suthep has agreed to meet investigators on Tuesday to hear the accusations against him.

Bargaining for bail

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva proposed a peace "road map" last week, which includes the dissolution of parliament in the second half of September and fresh elections on November 14, as well as proposals for political reforms. He also issued an ultimatum to the protesters, demanding they reply to his offer by Monday, May 10.

The Red Shirts, supporters of the exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in turn also put forward several other demands, including a reopening of their TV channel. Observers believe they are reluctant to vacate their encampments because they fear legal repercussions for their partly violent protests. Their demand for Suthep to turn himself in has been seen as an attempt to strike a bargain with the government to be assured bail once they end the protests.

tb / AP / AFP / dpa / Reuters
Editor: Disha Uppal