Thai gov't set to discuss proposed election delay

BANGKOK - Thai caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra assigned a deputy prime minister to hold talks with all sides concerned on the Election Commission's proposal to postpone the February 2 election, PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva said here on Monday.

Suranand said deputy prime minister Phongthep Thepkanjana would on Wednesday meet representatives from EC, political parties, supporters and opponents of the election.

Anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday turned down the invitation to talk with the government over the issue.

Suthep said he would not negotiate with the government or the military or any mediator but he would fight until the people achieve PDRC's goal of reform before the election.

The EC on Sunday formally requested Yingluck to consider postponing the February 2 polls to a later date, tentatively on May. 4, as the election is "doomed to fail" due to disruption by violent protest.

Yingluck has earlier rejected call for the rescheduling, saying the caretaker government is legally obliged to see to it that the February 2 polls, following last month's dissolution of parliament, will be held.  

The main opposition Democrat Party is now boycotting the snap election, calling for political reform before polls.

Anti-government protesters began paralyzing part of the Thai capital Bangkok on Monday in a bid to oust prime minister Yingluck.