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BANGKOK : Thailand's deputy prime minister insisted Monday that the arrest of two anti-government leaders would not derail negotiations with protesters besieging state buildings.
The detention of Chamlong Srimuang, a key protest leader, and rally organiser Chaiwat Sinsuwong over the weekend raised speculation in local media that the government was giving up on the talks.
Both men are due in court on Monday and are facing charges including insurrection, but Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, deputy prime minister and chief negotiator with the protesters, said they were still committed to peace.
"I can still negotiate with others ... Our negotiations have not ended yet. There is just a little more to finish," Chavalit told reporters.
"These negotiations will soon be successful," he added.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has said he wants thousands of protesters to leave his Bangkok offices by November.
Chavalit has been tasked with ending the six-week occupation of the government compound by a coalition demanding that the elected government step down because of its links to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The group began their campaign in late May claiming that the ruling People Power Party's plan to amend the constitution was aimed at helping Thaksin escape graft charges, and they stormed Government House on August 26.
A day later, Thailand issued arrest warrants for nine protest leaders.
Authorities, however, appeared unwilling to force their way into the heavily-fortified protest camp and deliver the warrants, and arrested Chamlong as he voted in Bangkok's governor elections on Sunday.
Chamlong appeared in court on Monday where police were seeking to extend his detention by 12 days, while Chaiwat was later due to appear in the same court, where his lawyers were expected to argue against his detention.
- AFP/ir
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