Thai rebels water down call for leader to quit after grenades horror

THAI protesters seeking to oust the prime minister eased their demands last night, saying they would give him 30 days to dissolve parliament and call elections, instead of insisting he act immediately.

The new offer came a day after grenades killed one person and wounded 86 near the red-shirted protesters' rally site in Bangkok's business district.

The grenades hit areas where counter-demonstrators had gathered to denounce the Red Shirts, tens of thousands of whom have occupied parts of the capital for six weeks. Rivals hurling stones and insults have created a volatile mix.

The Red Shirts consist mainly of poor, rural supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pro-democracy activists who opposed the military coup that ousted him in 2006. They believe prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government is illegitimate, because it came to power under military pressure through a parliamentary vote after disputed court rulings ousted two elected pro-Thaksin governments.

Their rivals include middle-class families, low-wage workers and members of the Yellow Shirts, who support the government and who rampaged through the city two years ago.

Much of the Thai capital's centre remained paralysed yesterday following the deadly attacks. Many banks, offices, restaurants and shops were closed along Silom Road, a key artery.

Bangkok's elevated train and subway transit systems shut nearby stations.

Authorities urged the public to avoid the area and warned that anyone involved in "terrorism" faced the death penalty.

Britain, the US and the Scandinavian countries have all urged their citizens to avoid Bangkok.