Thailand: Leader Seeks to Slow Protests

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/26/world/asia/thailand-leader-seeks-to-slow-protests.html

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The Thai prime minister on Wednesday proposed the formation of a reform council to mollify a protest movement seeking to topple her government, but her opponents immediately rejected her idea. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the council would not be a government body, and its 499 members would be appointed by an independent commission. Its task would be to amend the Constitution, address corruption and money in politics, and ensure electoral reform. Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the protesters who have been staging antigovernment demonstrations, said any proposal that allowed Ms. Yingluck to stay in power or carry out the elections scheduled for Feb. 2, which her party is expected to win, was unacceptable. He said the council as proposed would be under the influence of Ms. Yingluck.