Thaksin urges Thailand to stop crackdown on protesters; resume talks

BANGKOK, May 14 (TNA)  – Thailand’s ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva order troops to stop dispersing anti-government protesters and return to their barracks and resume negotiations with protesters to find a peaceful solution.

Mr Thaksin’s legal advisor Noppadol Pattama sent the former prime minister’s statement to the media by e-mail after the latest clashes between troops and protesters not far from the protest site in Ratchaprasong.

One person died and 12 were injured in the clashes, a spokesman for the emergency services said.

Mr Thaksin asked the premier to revoke the enforcement of the emergency decree in all provinces immediately and open negotiation with protesters to find peaceful means to resolve political turmoil.

Reconciliation approach should be based on justice, kindness and sincerity, the statement said.

“Now the country still has a way out and the prime minister can prevent immediate losses and bring the country out of crisis. It’s now up to the prime minister what he will choose between peaceful and violent means and between his politicial position and the life of innocent people,” Mr Thaksin said, adding that he hopes the prime minister can make the right decision as Mr Abhisit earlier stated that people must come first.

Mr Thaksin also expressed deep sorrow for families of the dead and the injured, who are civilians, soldiers and police.

The statement also said it is apparent that the government is using forces armed with heavy weapons and snipers in a violent crackdown on the anti-government protesters, leading to losses of life and casualties on Thursday despite the earlier announcement of the prime minister’s reconciliation roadmap.

The government can simply avoid losses if Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban surrenders to the police and acknowledges charges concerning the April 10 clashes as demanded by the protesters, Mr Thaksin said in his statement. (TNA)