Thai PM calls on all parties to join public forum on political solution

BANGKOK, December 3 (TNA) - As the domestic political situation has eased for nationwide celebrations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 86th birthday on December 5, Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called on people from all sectors of the society to participate in a public forum to be soon organized by her government to discuss a political solution acceptable to all parties. Yingluck made the call in her special address broadcast live on Tuesday evening, saying that people from all walks of life, including academics, business operators, the general public and even anti-government protesters, are welcome to join the public forum. The prime minister invited people from all walks of life to first join activities organized nationwide in honour of His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of the beloved Thai monarch's birthday anniversary. Thailand's political tension has now relieved, after police allowed anti-government protesters to reach and enter the Metropolitan Police Bureau and the Government House earlier in the day, hours after which another group of protesters who has occupied the Ministry of Finance, where is the Bureau of the Budget is also located since last week, agreed to disperse. Anti-government protesters rallying at other sites, including those in provincial areas, have also stopped their demonstrations to join nationwide celebrations of His Majesty the King's birthday. The protesters' leaders, however, vowed to continue their rallies after His Majesty the King's birthday, until what they have claimed the "Thaksin regime" is uprooted, referring to the political influence of exiled ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Premier Yingluck's elder brother. (TNA)