Thai army offers to mediate between government, protesters

Thai Army Chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Sunday offered to mediate negotiation between the government and protesters to resolve the current political conflicts. Deputy army spokesman Winthai Suwaree said Prayuth would offer to find a way to allow both sides to hold talks but stressed they must stop confrontation first. The army chief, who is closely monitoring the situation, had called national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew and asked him to instruct his officers not to fire teargas against protesters, said Winthai. Earlier this week, Prayuth said the army stands neutral in the political crisis, asking anti-government protesters not to try to force the army to take sides. He made the statement after a group of protesters stormed into the compound of the army headquarters to urge the army to join the anti-government movement. Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was accused by the protesters of serving the interest of her brother, deposed former leader Thaksin, has repeatedly called on her opponents to join a dialogue to together find a way out of the political crisis. The offer was categorically rejected by Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat legislator who has been leading the anti- government movements since early this month. He vowed to "fight to death" until the "Thaksin's regime" is put to an end.