Thai Senate continues finding out a national solution

BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) - The Thai Senate has continued its attempts to find a solution to the persistent domestic political strife. An appointed senator, Wanchai Sornsiri, told journalists that another informal meeting of senators on Friday afternoon would see senators discuss ideas proposed by several sectors, aimed to help solve the ongoing domestic political deadlock. Wanchai expressed his optimism that senators would be able to, eventually, find a conclusion at Friday's informal meeting, which could solve the domestic political deadlock without violating the Constitution. The Senate informal meeting began at about 1:30pm under tight security at the Parliament building, while several anti-government protestors were seen outside the building, awaiting the result, but Wanchai affirmed that the Senate has not been pressured by any party. Meanwhile, Acting Caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisarn said he is awaiting an invitation from the Senate to confer on ways to solve the prevailing domestic political problems. Niwattumrong told reporters that he will be in the northern Chiang Mai and Lamphun Provinces this weekend to inspect damages from a powerful earthquake which hit the Thai North on May 5, and he had, thus, no idea why there was a reported meeting between his caretaker government and the Senate on May 17. Niwattumrong stressed that his caretaker government is awaiting and will study a proposal on setting up an interim government to solve the political conflict, acknowledging that his caretaker government was prepared to accept the proposal if it was positive and lawful. (TNA)