**Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has agreed to hold face-to-face talks with protesters who are demanding that he resign and call new elections.**Mr Abhisit’s spokesman said he had “accepted the request to negotiate” in an effort to “restore peace and minimise the chance of violence”.
Mr Abhisit had previously said he would not bow to any ultimatums.
The red-shirted protesters have held a series of rallies since 12 March in Bangkok, where thousands are encamped.
Earlier, three soldiers were injured after grenades were thrown at their heavily-guarded barracks on the outskirts of the capital, which Mr Abhisit has been using as a base.
It is not known who carried out the attack, but the anti-government protesters, many of whom support exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, were to march on the barracks on Sunday.
Neutral venue
In a statement, Mr Abhisit insisted he would “not there be there to talk” if the protesters proceeded to march on the barracks.
“It will not be possible under this kind of tense circumstance to hold negotiations,” he said. “I still insist that I am open to negotiation as long as there are no threats, hostility or pressure.”
PROTEST TIMELINE
- 2006: Yellow-shirts launch street protests to oust PM Thaksin Shinawatra
- Sept 2006: Thaksin ousted in military coup
- Dec 2007: Thaksin allies win first post-coup elections
- Sept 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok government buildings, clash with pro-Thaksin red-shirts
- Nov 2008: Yellow-shirts occupy Bangkok’s airports, forcing cancellation of hundreds of flights
- Dec 2008: Thaksin-allied government falls, rival Abhisit Vejjajiva forms government
- Apr 2009: Red-shirts storm Asean summit, clashes erupt in Bangkok
- Mar 2010: Red-shirts launch protest aimed at bringing government down
Press: Protest divides society
In response, red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikua delayed the rally to give Mr Abhisit time to consider an offer of negotiations between small delegations.
Mr Abhisit’s spokesman later announced on television that the government and the protestors had each agreed to send four representatives to the proposed talks, which would be held at a neutral venue.
“In order to restore peace and minimise the chance of violence, the prime minister is ready to accept the request to negotiate with the demonstrators,” Satit Wongnongtoey said.
The talks are expected to begin at 1600 local time (0900 GMT).
A previous offer of negotiations through intermediaries was rejected by the Red Shirts, who say they are sticking to their demand that Mr Abhisit dissolve parliament and hold elections.
The BBC’s Rachel Harvey in Bangkok says there are still substantial sticking points to be overcome, but after two weeks of stalemate it seems there may now be signs of movement.
The Red Shirts, formally the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, held a 60,000-strong rally in Bangkok on Saturday.
They have sought to distance themselves from Mr Thaksin - who lives abroad having fled a two-year jail sentence for a conflict of interest case - painting themselves as fighters for democracy.
They say Mr Abhisit came to power illegitimately in a parliamentary vote after a pro-Thaksin government was forced to step down. Mr Thaksin was ousted as prime minister in a military coup in 2006.