US urges calm amid Thailand protests

The United States Monday called for restraint amid turmoil in Thailand as opposition demonstrators stormed key ministries seeking to topple embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Washington was concerned about the rising political tensions and was monitoring the situation closely, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. "We urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law. Violence and the seizure of public or private property are not acceptable means of resolving political differences," she said. The mass protests against Yingluck and her brother, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, are the biggest since 2010 when the kingdom was rocked by its worst political bloodshed in decades in which more than 90 civilians were killed. Psaki said that "as long-time friends of Thailand, we strongly support the Thai nation and its people during this period." Washington believed the best way forward was that "all parties should work together to resolve differences through peaceful dialogue in ways that strengthen democracy and rule of law," she said. The U.S. official also called on the Thai government to uphold freedom of press and guarantee the safety of journalists.