BBC Online : Parties on both sides of Thailand’s political divide are to meet for a second round of talks, amid deadlock in the protest-hit nation. The meeting is being convened by army chief General Prayuth Chan-Ocha. The first round of talks involving the government and two main protest factions ended on Wednesday without reaching any conclusion. Thailand has been under martial law since Tuesday. The army says it wants to help end the political crisis. The parties are discussing whether political reforms should take place before or after elections, when these should be and whether an appointed government should be put in place in the interim. But given both sides hold deeply entrenched positions, a quick agreement appears almost impossible, says the BBC’s Jonah Fisher in Bangkok.
