Guarded hopes rise for peaceful end to Thai crisis

Guarded hopes rose today that Thailand’s political deadlock, punctuated by increasing hostility and bloody street violence, could be settled peacefully after protesters softened their demand for an immediate change in government.

But one protest leader said he was unhappy with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s apparent brush-off of the offer yesterday to accept the dissolving of Parliament within 30 days for new elections.