PM asks all sides to ‘step back from brink’ amid tense stand-off in Bangkok

Speaking to the nation on television at 7pm as thousands of protesters confronted police in central Bangkok, he promised to lift the “serious” state of emergency in the capital soon if no serious situation erupted.

The PM’s address came amid weeks of anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok and other provinces, in which protesters have called for Prayut’s resignation, changes to the Constitution, and reform of the monarchy.

Prayut asked all parties to step back from a “path that would lead the country to downfall”. He said emotional behaviour would add heat to the situation and warned that violence would lead to more violence and end up damaging the country.

The warning came after police cracked down on a peaceful protest in Bangkok last Friday by firing water cannon.

Prayut added that the only way out of the conflict without damaging the country was to talk, respect the law, and work together via the parliamentary process.

He added that all sides must be patient and have courage to take the middle path.

He said that the demonstrators had made their view clear, and it was time to consider their opinions together with the demands of people in other sectors, to seek an appropriate way out at Parliament.

The Cabinet this week gave the green light for an extraordinary session of Parliament to seek resolutions for the conflict. Prayut said the session is expected to take place on October 26-27.

He added that the government still facing the no less urgent problem of mitigating the economic impact of Covid-19.