Thai PM calls for talks to end political conflict

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday called on anti-government demonstrators to hold dialogue with the government to find a way out of the political tumult. In a televised address, the embattled lady premier urged the protesters to end their street rallies which have lasted almost a month in the capital city, saying the government plans to open a forum for all concerned parties to attend to together find solutions to defuse the mounting political tension. As the king's birthday on Dec. 5 is drawing near, she called for all people to heed the king's advice for them to love one another and unite. The plead came a few hours after Yingluck and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan easily won votes of confidence in the House of Representatives where the ruling Pheu Thai party holds commanding majority. She also asked foreign countries to have confidence in Thailand, saying the government will adhere to peaceful means in dealing with the protesters and will ensure public services continue without disruption. "The government does not want to play a political game because doing so will only cause the economy and the country to step backward," she said. In a escalating bid to oust the so-called "Thaksin's regime," allegedly carried out by the Yingluck government, the protesters have occupied the compounds of government agencies in Jangwattana area in Bangkok's suburbs since Wednesday and the Finance Ministry in the heart of the capital since Monday. Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat legislator who has been orchestrating anti-government movements since early this month, has rejected any offer for talk, saying he will not stop the anti- government rallies until the "Thaksin's regime" has been put to an end.