Coalition partners see negotiations will help resolve political crisis

BANGKOK, March 21 (TNA) — Partners in the coalition government believe that “initial negotiations” with anti-government protesters can eventually lead to solving political problem prevailing in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday.

Accompanied by Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa who leads the Chart Thai Pattana Party, Transport Minister Sopon Zarum who heads the Bhumjaithai Party, and Natural Resources and Environment Minister as well as Social Action Party leader Suwit  Khunkitti, the prime minister told a televised press conference that partners in his coalition government agreed that sending government representatives to discuss ways to resolve the political deadlock with anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Monday would be the best way in solving the problem.

But Jatuporn Prompan, a top UDD leader, insisted that his group would negotiate only with Mr Abhisit.

Mr Jatuporn said UDD protesters will demonstrate in front of the prime minister’s office at Government House on Monday to submit their demands but not physically surround and that they will follow him wherever he goes.

Meanwhile, Red Shirt artists led by Visa Kantap painted leftover protester blood on cloth banners and placed them around Mahakan Fort near the protest venue.

The remaining blood was donated by Red Shirt volunteers and was earlier used in their campaign, pouring it at Government House, Democrat Party headquarters and the premier’s residence in Soi Sukhumvit 31 to pressure the government.

Holding optimistic views,  Mr Chumpol said he believed negotiations would take place successfully and that he was confident that the coalition government could still continue its work.

Mr Sopon said negotiations must be based on the sincerity of both sides to resolve problems facing the country and to prevent the present political challenges to become a full-scale crisis.

“If the prime minister can stop the ongoing demonstration by UDD protesters, it would be a major step forward for Thai politics,” Mr Sopon said.

During a meeting of the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party in Nakhon Ratchasima, party leader Wannarat Channukul and members at large on Sunday approved renaming the party and redesigning of its logo.

Renamed as the Ruam Chart Pattana Party, its logo was changed from a heart to the head of an elephant.

As a coalition party, Wannarat Channukul, leader of the newly-named Ruam Chart Pattana Party, affirmed that the party continues working with the Abhisit government for the country’s benefits amid the current political heat.

The party still supports using peaceful means to solve the political crisis, particularly negotiation between the government and Red Shirt core leaders. If not, a middleman concerned should help coordinate and prepare the varied sides for talks.

Regarding the protesters’ demand for the dissolution of Parliament, Mr Wannarat commented that it is not the appropriate time to dissolve Parliament as discussion should be held before the dissolution. (TNA)