Mixed response to Suthep's 'let's talk' overtures

DAAD co-leader Natthawut Saikua confirmed that close aides of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban had contacted the alliance twice, asking for talks.

The latest contact was on Tuesday, he said, adding that the DAAD would have no problem talking to Suthep.

The group will discuss its demonstration plans before asking its supporters to mobilise again, Natthawut said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday he would leave it Suthep, who is also the Democrat Party secretary-general, to manage any talks with the government's rivals.

The government is open to any discussions, as long as they done are "in the right way" and all those involved are treated fairly, Abhisit said.

Suphachai Jaisamut, deputy government spokesman from the Friends of Newin faction, said Suthep's idea of talking with Thaksin was a good one. They have had a good relationship for a long time and should pursue such talks for the sake of the country, he said.

In the meantime, Thaksin would be unlikely to decline any offers to talk, he said.

Supachai said his group had not betrayed Thaksin, and the former PM has many opportunities to clear himself in the cases against him.

However, Pheu Thai Chiang Mai MP Surapong Towijakchaikul said Suthep would not succeed in his attempt at arranging talks. Suthep is not Thaksin's friend, despite what he has claimed, said Surapong, adding that he had only been talking "politically".

"No way. No one would talk to him [Suthep]. Suthep said those things in order to create a good image. It's his party's style to give the impression that its members are moral," Surapong said.

The red-shirted protesters are merely imitating what the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy did. Therefore, no one will be able to stop them from ousting the government, he said.

The only way to unite the country is to have a neutral justice system, Surapong added.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan, co-leader of the DAAD, also said Suthep's attempt to arrange talks would not bear fruit.

The DAAD has declared its standpoint of fighting for democracy, regardless of which politicians ally themselves to its cause. The group would, therefore, boycott defecting politicians.

But more defecting politicians did not mean fewer protesters, he said.

"The DAAD has no boss - just common views. The former prime minister [Thaksin] is another person who shares our views, and he is this fight's symbol. If the former prime minister had given up his beliefs and bowed to political pressure, his position now would be different. But he has stuck to righteousness and democracy, so he is where he is now. And he has nothing to lose any more," Jatuporn said.

Thaksin will never turn his back on the red-shirted supporters, he added.