Civil war warning

ICG says Thailand’s political system has broken down; Rights group HRW warns of escalation if solution not found

The prolonged row between the government and red-shirt protesters could deteriorate into an “undeclared civil war”, but mediation help from other countries might avoid a slide into further violence, a top global think tank has suggested.

“The Thai political system has broken down and seems incapable of pulling the country back from the brink of widespread conflict,” the International Crisis Group (ICG) said in a report released on Friday.

“The stand-off in the streets of Bangkok between the government and red-shirt protesters is worsening and could deteriorate into an undeclared civil war,” it said.

The ICG also recommended forming a neutral negotiation committee with the help of international figures such as East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta, a Nobel laureate who recently visited Thailand.

The Nation