Asia-Pacific

Thai PM lifts curfew, keeps state of emergency

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-30 09:23

He stressed that the authorities sought to "separate extremist elements from the ordinary people," among the Red Shirts, saying the majority of the protesters were not tied to the violence and had legitimate grievances.

"It's unfortunate that a small group of people caused such trouble," he said.

Abhisit vowed to stick with a reconciliation plan he offered the demonstrators during the protest that he said would address their grievances, including unfair media coverage and economic injustice.

"Reconciliation will never be achieved unless we can successfully reach out to those people," he said. "What I would like to say to them is, they are entitled to different opinions and to have space ... to express those opinions, but please refrain from anything that could lead to violence and destruction."

Abhisit had previously also offered to hold an election in November this year, an offer he withdrew after the Red Shirts refused to end their protest without more concessions from the government.

He said Saturday that he would not rule out early polls, but that "obviously, it's a lot more difficult now to hold elections before the end of the year," than had they been agreed upon earlier.

He said he had no objection to early elections if they serve a purpose, "if such elections could reconcile differences in a stable, peaceful manner and ... the election results and the application of the laws covering the elections will be accepted."

On Saturday, the Thai capital had returned to its usual bustle, with the streets crowded with cars and the subway and elevated train systems running.

"It's good I can travel back home at night because I work a night shift," said Boonmee Harbroab, a 49-year-old security guard.

Most of the Red Shirt leaders have been detained or have submitted to questioning, leaving the movement disorganized.

Still, intelligence officials have information suggesting protesters have moved underground and could be planning violent retaliation in their strongholds in the north and northeast of the country, said assistant army spokeswoman Lt. Siriya Khuengsirikul.

Siriya said the army is confident it can stop any outbreaks of renewed violence, and that the increased military watch was a precautionary measure.