Thai leader pledges to lift emergency measures if situation calms

Prime Minister Prayuth calls for parliamentary solution in national address

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha pleaded with his countrymen to resolve their political differences through parliament in a national address Wednesday. © AP

APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT and DOMINIC FAULDER, Nikkei staff writers

October 21, 2020 20:31 JST

Updated on October 21, 2020 23:43 JST

BANGKOK -- As thousands of young protesters marched on the Government House, a pre-recorded address by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was broadcast Wednesday night, calling for a parliamentary solution to the political impasse and national reconciliation after eight straight days of protests across Thailand.

The demonstrators coming 3km from Victory Monument had already reached a roundabout near Government House by the time the address was aired, diminishing its chances of defusing the immediate situation.