Senate speaker mediating with army chief, anti-govt protesters

BANGKOK, Sept 5 (TNA) -- Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej on Friday began talks with Thailand's powerful army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda and core leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to explore ways to end the current political turmoil which has impacted Thailand for months.

Without disclosing whom he had talked to among the core leaders of the
PAD, Mr. Prasopsuk said negotiations were so far leading in a positive
direction and that he believed the political crisis would end soon.

The speaker said he would continue negotiations with parties involved in
the conflict this weekend and that he would submit his conclusions at a
meeting between the Senate, House of Representatives and the opposition
Democrat Party Monday at noon.

Mr. Prasopsuk said he is confident that proposals from his meetings would
be acceptable to every party involved in the conflict.

Protesters loyal to the PAD who now occupy the Government House since
August 26 have demanded that the coalition government resigns
unconditionally.

Mr. Prasopsuk's move on peace talks came after he was appointed during
his meeting with House Speaker Chai Chidchob and Democrat Party leader
Abhisit Vejjajiva early Friday to be the peace mediator to end the
political turmoil which has crippled national economy.

Members of the House of Representatives are scheduled to meet next Monday
and be briefed on the latest developments.

Meanwhile, more than 30 senators on Friday told a joint press conference
that the only way out to end the crisis is for Prime Minister Samak
Sundaravej to dissolve the House and return power to the people.

The senators suggested that the PAD and pro-government protesters must
also end their demonstrations and monitor the election to ensure that it
is conducted in a fair manner.