Accept my peace deal urges Thai premier

Hopes that the prolonged protests by so-called Red Shirt demonstrators would end without further bloodshed were dashed when two attacks on Friday night killed two policemen and wounded 13 people.

The violence was just outside the protest occupation zone in Bangkok's prime commercial district, which saw its upmarket shopping centres and five-star hotels closed for weeks.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on nationwide television to ask all parties to accept his five-point reconciliation plan, which includes new elections on November 14.

"Don't hesitate. If you agree with the reconciliation, quit the demonstration and start working together," he said. He described those instigating violence to undermine peace efforts as "terrorists" who would not be granted amnesty.

He also promised to address some of the grievances of the protesters, including rural poverty and social injustice.

The Red Shirts, who refused to leave the protest site, said they would unveil their own proposal to resolve the crisis in the next few days.

A government spokesman earlier said that if the protesters did not end their occupation of Bangkok's commercial district "some people who don't wish to see reconciliation take place may take this opportunity to launch another attack".