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| Southeast Asia |
| Thailand rejects call for UN mediation |
| 2010-05-17 |
| [Iran Press TV Latest] The Thai government has rejected a UN-backed mediation in the intensifying battle with anti-government red-shirt protesters in Bangkok. A leader of the red-shirt protesters called for the UN mediation but the suggestion was immediately turned down by the government, which is strongly opposed to any foreign interference. "As for the call of UN interference, no governments allow any organizations to intervene in their internal affairs," Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said. Although the red-shirts have camped in Bangkok for months, 29 people have been killed and 220 wounded since last Thursday as the violence intensified, according to BBC. Over 20 provinces, including Bangkok, are now under emergency rule and schools have been ordered to remain closed on Monday. The government has vowed to seal-off the camped protesters inside a business district from the rest of Bangkok. It has also urged the opposition leaders to surrender. The red-shirts mainly support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006. |
| Posted by:Fred |