BANGKOK, December 13. /ITAR-TASS /. Thailand’s opposition agreed to send representatives to participate in a governmental forum to find a way out of the political crisis. The event is scheduled for December 15. This was reported today by Varathep Rattanakorn, Acting Minister in the Prime Minister's Office of Thailand.
“Representatives of the People's Committee of political reforms have confirmed their participation in the forum,” Rattanakorn said. Acting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced the general meeting of all interested in resolving the political conflict in the country on Thursday.
“We are open to dialogue and willing to listen to a variety of opinions. We want to hear all interested parties on the issue, as today we have to reform the political system in Thailand by peaceful means,” Yingluck Shinawatra said, inviting representatives of different political forces to the meeting.
Protesters’ participation, whose actions, in fact, provoked a deep political crisis in Thailand, does not mean that the opposition is ready for dialogue. The leader of the protest movement Suthep Thaugsuban previously met with Yingluck Shinawatra, but only to declare her an ultimatum. December 12, at a meeting with Thai businessmen Thaugsuban announced that he would try all possible ways to disrupt the election to the National Assembly of the country scheduled for February 2. “I’ll do anything to disrupt the upcoming election. And I am sure that I will succeed,” Thaugsuban said. He insists that the executive power in the country should belong to the People's Council, whose members are appointed by the monarch.
Government’s House in Bangkok, which is the main office of Yingluck Shinawatra, is surrounded by protesters already for five days. Tonight, according to witnesses, the complex of buildings was plunged into total darkness, since on the eve the oppositionists caused a blackout in the Government House. In the building, there are only police officers guarding public ownership. Acting Prime Minister did not appear in her office on Monday. Yingluck Shinawatra actively travels around the country, taking part in various events.
A group of protesters remains at the Democracy Monument Square in Bangkok. In addition, the 12th day in a row, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs cannot get to their workplaces, since the approaches to the building are blocked by the demonstrators. The Ministry of Internal Affairs in Thailand has no control over the police, and engages in administrative management of the provinces.
The demonstrators’ leader Suthep Thaugsuban said on Friday that he had agreed to meet with the leadership of the armed forces of Thailand. He intends to present his position in detail and to enlist their support. The meeting is scheduled for December 14, Thaugsuban said. At the same time, the Army’s General Staff had previously reported on the refusal to meet with Thaugsuban.