Thailand’s prime minister today promised an independent probe into “all events” surrounding anti-government protests, and called for reconciliation to heal deep political divisions that led to widespread violence and 83 deaths in two months.

Thailand will not hold elections as demanded by anti-government protesters until passions from more than two-months of political violence are calmed, a key minister said today.

THAILAND declared a state of emergency in the capital yesterday after protesters stormed the grounds of parliament, forcing government ministers to flee by helicopter and raising pressure for snap elections.

Coup leaders have chosen a former army commander and close adviser to Thailand’s powerful monarch to lead the country until promised elections next year, the auditor general said today.