No report of possible violence in rally on April 3: Thai Deputy PM

BANGKOK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- By now there is no report of violence to potentially occur during a mass rally in capital Bangkok planned on April 3, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thuagsuban said Thursday.

"The government's peace-keeping center is closely monitoring the situation," Thai News Agency quoted Suthep as saying.

For a third round of peace talks, until now the red shirts' core leaders have not yet replied if they want it to happen, Suthep said.

It is still unknown if the third round of talks can be held prior to the planned mass rally on this Saturday.

The Thai deputy prime minister, however, said he is still hoping that the third round of talks with them will occur.

Meanwhile, Chai Chidchob, Thailand's House Speaker, has suggested the coalition government to attempt to convince the red shirts to hold the third round of open talks.

Chai's view, however, is different from that of Col.Apiwan Wiriyachai, his Deputy House Speaker from the leading opposition Puea Thai Party, who has suggested a closed-door talk.

The previous two rounds of their talks failed as the anti- government red shirts and the government have had a different view on the timeframe for the lower House dissolution.

The red shirts have insisted the House be dissolved within 15 days and it will be the only solution to the country's ongoing political conflict.

But, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has proposed that it be possible to dissolve the lower House by year-end.