Bombs, threats of martial law and scheduled talks
By Bangkok Pundit Mar 28, 2010 4:55PM UTCLast night there were a series of bomb attacks against Channel 5 and Channel 11 and also the 11th infantry regiment leaving 9 people injured. According to Matichon, Police are investigating these attacks as well as other recent attacks, but have not concluded which group is behind the attacks although they suspect it is linked with politicians (ส่วนเป็นการกระทำของกลุ่มใด ยังไม่สามารถระบุได้…แต่เป็นกลุ่มที่เคยติดตามนักการเมือง).*
According to Bangkok Post this morning the red shirts started marching to the 11th Infantry Regiment to pressure the PM to dissolve parliament. Initially, the PM said there would be no talks with the red shirts if the went to the 11th Infantry Regiment, but the red shirts still went. Suthep threatened that martial law would be declared if the red shirts entered the 11th Infantry Regiment. The red shirts then gave an ultimatum of 1pm to agree to talks. Abhisit had a change of mind about the talks as AP reports:
Abhisit went on national television earlier in the day saying he would not bow to ultimatums. Two hours later, he agreed to talks.
“To find a way to restore peace and minimize the chance of violence, the prime minister has accepted the condition to negotiate with the protesters,” a member of Abhisit’s staff said in a brief televised announcement.
The two sides planned to meet at 4 p.m. (0900 GMT; 5 a.m. EDT) at an academic institute on the outskirts of Bangkok, though the ground rules still needed to be determined.
“The negotiations have to be broadcast live so the people can watch,” protest leader Jatuporn Prompan told a crowd of thousands of cheering supporters at the main protest site in the historic heart of Bangkok.Abhisit’s office said the matter of a live broadcast would be worked out at the talks, which would include three protest leaders and four government officials, including the prime minister.
“We have only one demand, that Abhisit must dissolve Parliament immediately,” said Nattawut Saikua, another protest leader.
BBC reports this a sign of positive change:
The BBC’s Rachel Harvey in Bangkok says there are still substantial sticking points to be overcome, but after two weeks of stalemate it seems there may now be signs of movement
Reuters is more pessimistic:
Analysts have said Abhisit, who enjoys staunch backing of the military and Thailand’s establishment elites, is unlikely to make any real concessions and talks would prove fruitless.
Abhisit said earlier on Sunday he was happy to “discuss” house dissolution, but did not elaborate.
AFP has a different angle:
“The government has confirmed we are ready to talk,” Satit Wongnongtoey, minister in the premier’s office, told a televised press conference.
“The government’s position is that we want to decrease conflict. We made a proposal and the protesters accepted — it is a good sign, it is a good way out.”
BP: As blogged yesterday the red shirts cannot expect an immediate dissolution so it will be a matter of negotiation. Should we expect any resolution today? It seems unlikely, but then that is up to both sides.
*Democrat spokesman is clearer on who he thinks is behind the attacks and he states it is the red shirts.



