Hopes rose for an end to deadly mayhem in Thailand’s capital as leaders of a protest movement occupying central Bangkok said they would unconditionally accept an offer by the Thai Senate to mediate talks.

A RENEGADE army general accused of leading a paramilitary force among Thailand’s Red Shirt protesters was shot in the head yesterday, apparently by a sniper, an aide said, after the government warned it would shoot “terrorists”.

Thai protesters today vowed to fortify their sprawling encampment in Bangkok’s upmarket hotel-and-shopping district before venturing out to “wage a big war” to topple the government.