End of emergency near

By Aekarach Sattaburuth and Manop Thip-Osod

The state of emergency could soon be lifted but anti-government protesters expect the move would do little to ease political tension.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) still insists that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej must resign before it will enter into talks with the government, leaving the stand-off simmering.

Mr Samak said on Friday he was considering ending the state emergency he declared for Bangkok. He said it was becoming a pointless exercise as people refused to comply.

The prime minister issued the emergency decree on Tuesday after PAD protesters clashed with rivals from the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), leaving a UDD supporter dead and 43 other people injured.

The decree forbids an assembly of more than five people, but PAD protesters grouped in and around Government House have refused to comply with it.

In further defiance of the rule, a group of Ramkhamhaeng University students on Thursday night organised a protest march to Mr Samak's house during which two of them were shot and injured by unidentified gunmen.

Army commander Gen Anupong Paojinda, who is in charge of enforcing the decree, has also refused to exercise its powers to break up the PAD protest.

"When people do not comply, it doesn't bode well for the decree. So I will consult with officials in a day or two [about lifting it]," Mr Samak said.

"Normally it would be effective for three months, but I won't drag it out."

In a new bid to break the political deadlock, House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva have agreed the stand-off should be resolved through dialogue.

At a meeting on Friday, Mr Prasopsuk was assigned to mediate. They decided to meet after the joint House-Senate debate on Sunday failed to yield any concrete measures to end the strife.

Mr Abhisit said Mr Prasopsuk was entrusted with taking the lead role because he has no political affiliations and is widely accepted.

He said while the Senate speaker will act as a go-between, political parties will be asked to pressure their members of parliament to help reduce tension and work out possible solutions.

"We agreed a referendum might come too late. What we have agreed is to resolve the conflict through talks as suggested by the army chief," he said.

In a press conference on the emergency decree on Tuesday, Gen Anupong insisted the conflict must be resolved through political means and limited the military's role in order to avert bloodshed.

Mr Abhisit said the parties concerned should keep their conditions to a minimum to facilitate negotiations.

Mr Prasopsuk said he has been assigned to coordinate between the army chief and the PAD, and his initial offer of help has been welcomed.

"I think the conflict will be resolved soon and in an amicable way. But I cannot tell you with whom I am coordinating in the PAD," he said.

Asked about Mr Samak's refusal to go to the negotiating table with the PAD, he said his job at the moment was only to approach the PAD. He expects to discuss the progress of his work on Monday.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the group has told Senate representatives that talks are out of the question unless Mr Samak steps down first.

He said the PAD was maintaining its demand that Mr Samak resign because his attitude was not conducive to a dialogue.

"If he quits, we will take a step back and enter discussions to map out a solution in the short and long terms."

Mr Suriyasai warned the next 48 hours would be crucial after the cabinet on Thursday endorsed a law to empower the prime minister to enforce 20 other laws affecting each ministry such as the Traffic Act, the Disease Control Act, and the Defence Act.

He said there was still a chance of police breaking up the protest or the military staging a coup.

"It is a pity that the prime minister lets a chance for society to find a solution which is not a coup to pass him by," he said.

Deputy Senate Speaker Tassana Boonthong said Mr Prasopsuk has appointed Senator Gen Lertrat Rattanawanich to coordinate with the army chief and urge him not to use force against the protesters and stage a coup.

A source in the Senate said Mr Prasopsuk has sought help from senators Khamnoon Sitthisamarn and Paiboon Nititawan who have close associations with the PAD to convince the alliance to produce a proposal.

The source said the PAD will be asked to end its rally if the government resigns or dissolves the House. The proposal is likely to be accepted.

"They are likely to accept it — even if with reluctance. What claim will they use to justify the protest when the government steps down or the House is dissolved," the source said.

However, it remains to be seen how the proposed dialogue will turn out after the PAD and the government slammed the door shut on the prospect of negotiations.

Mr Samak reiterated Friday that he would not negotiate and would instead seek a way out through a referendum.