DHAKA: The leader of a movement trying to topple Thailand’s government said he would call off his protest if civil war threatened to break out but rejected any compromise with the government ahead of a planned ‘shutdown’ of the capital.

Supporters of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra were rallying in her defence on Sunday but steered clear of Bangkok, where people went about their business as usual.

The anti-government protesters accuse Yingluck and her brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, of corruption. She has called an election for February 2 but protesters want her caretaker government to step down immediately.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban ruled out talks with the government in an interview published on Sunday, but said he would stand down his movement if, as some fear, violence escalates and civil war looms, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1611 HRS, JAN 12, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor