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Thailand meeting inconclusive

May 21, 2014

A meeting between representatives from both sides of Thailand's political divide has ended inconclusively. The talks came a day after the military imposed martial law.

https://p.dw.com/p/1C3h9
Thai soldiers occupy the foyer of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand television station in Bangkok May 20, 2014.Thailand's army declared martial law on Tuesday to restore order after six months of anti-government protests which have left the country without a functioning government.The declaration did not constitute a coup and was made in response to deteriorating security, an army general said. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Image: Reuters

Footage from Thai television showed Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha chairing the Wednesday afternoon meeting between pro- and anti-government representatives.

The country's caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan was invited but did not attend because he was "busy with other matters," electing to instead send four representatives. However, members of the country's election commission and Senate were present.

"The army chief asked us to go back home and think about the things we discussed in order to find a solution for the country," Puchong Nutrawong, secretary-general of the Election Commission, told the Reuters news agency. Puchong added that the group would meet again on Thursday.

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban was among those summoned, as was his rival from the pro-government "Red Shirt" group, Jatuporn Prompan.

Niwattumrong, who replaced Yingluck Shinawatra after a controversial court ruling ousted her this month, has called for an election for a new government to be held on August 3. His proposal was made despite doubts that a poll could adequately be held while the country remained under martial law.

The Thai military on Tuesday said it was imposing martial law amid mounting violence between pro-government, anti-establishment protesters and their opponents. However, the military has denied that its actions amounted to a coup d'etat, claiming instead that it had acted only to restore order.

'Smooth solution' sought

The army interrupted regular programs on national television to announce the meeting at Bangkok's Army Club, It said the talks were being called "to solve the political conflict smoothly."

Thailand's military has ordered 14 satellite television stations, which have promoted both pro- and anti-government points of view, to stop broadcasting. It has also warned against the spread of inflammatory material via social media.

Largely royalist opponents of the interim government claim it is little more than a puppet of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - whose sister Yingluck was judicially removed from her post as prime minister earlier this month on charges of abuse of power.

Supporters of the opposition Democrat Party - led by former deputy prime minister Suthep - have vowed to remain on the streets, despite the army's imposition of martial law.

Red Shirt supporters of Yingluck and the Pheu Thai Party have gone as far as to warn of civil war if the government is deposed automatically.

rc/lw (AFP, AP, Reuters)