UN urges Thailand to 'step back from brink'

The United Nations urged Thailand to "step back from the brink" to avoid further loss of life as troops and protestors on Tuesday remained locked in a tense confrontation after deadly street clashes.

The United Nations urged Thailand to "step back from the brink" to avoid further loss of life as troops and protestors on Tuesday remained locked in a tense confrontation after deadly street clashes.

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Leaders of the "Red Shirt" protestors offered the government a truce yesterday after five days of violence in central Bangkok that have left 38 people dead and more than 270 wounded.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay called on both sides to negotiate an end to the violence, which has turned parts of the Thai capital into no-go zones.

"Ultimately, this situation can only be resolved by negotiation. I urge leaders to set aside pride and politics for the sake of the people of Thailand," she said in a statement.