Thai govt, rivals firm on peace plan despite deadly violence

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BANGKOK, May 8 (AFP): Thailand's government and 'Red Shirts' protesters Saturday committed themselves to a faltering peace process despite twin attacks that left two police officers dead.
Grenade blasts and a drive-by shooting targeted security forces facing off against the anti-government Red Shirts at their massive rally encampment which has shut down most of Bangkok's main shopping district.Both sides said the attacks were the work of groups intent on derailing embattled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's reconciliation "roadmap" aimed at ending a two-month confrontation by holding elections on November 14.
The Reds have signed up to the peace process but are demanding a firm date for the dissolution of parliament before disbanding their protest base, where they are barricaded behind piles of fuel-soaked tyres and razor wire.
The overnight attacks also wounded 12 people in the latest outbreak of violence in a crisis that has left another 27 dead and nearly 1,000 injured in deadly clashes and other explosions.
The government urged the Reds to end their campaign quickly to avoid further bloodshed.
"Some groups of people do not want to see (the plan) succeed so the government calls on the Red Shirts to quickly make a decision, otherwise there will be more casualties," government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said.