Thailand's political standoff was deepening Thursday as encircled anti-government protesters defied threats of a crackdown and Washington expressed alarm at the prospect of bloodshed in a key ally.
The "Red Shirt" protesters have ruled out talks with the government, despite the crackdown promised by the army, and are fortifying their rally base in central Bangkok with home-made barricades.
"It's impossible to hold negotiations between killers and those who have been killed," said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the anti-government campaigners who are pushing for fresh elections.
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The United States urged both sides to seek a peaceful resolution to the weeks-long crisis, which has shut down the Thai capital's retail and hotel heartland, worsening the damage to the economy of the tourist destination.
"We would continue to encourage both sides to work out their disagreements peacefully," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said. "We don't believe that violence in any shape or form is a solution to this political challenge."
But there was no air of compromise as the protesters dug in, following street clashes in Bangkok earlier this month that left 25 people dead.
Entrances to the vast Reds encampment were blocked with barriers made from bamboo poles and car tyres draped with plastic sheeting.
Piles of sharpened bamboo sticks and broken paving stones have been stockpiled, triggering fears of new confrontations with security forces who are threatening to use tear gas and live fire if necessary.
Weapons denial
The protesters, who are pushing for the ouster of a government they say is the tool of the nation's elites, have denied allegations they are hoarding weapons.
Hundreds of members of the security forces and Red Shirts are now facing off at the perimeter of two zones in central Bangkok, separated by a long stretch of the makeshift barricade.
Demonstrators Wednesday waved flags, played music and rallied the crowd in speeches broadcast over large speakers, while overhead armed troops patrolled from pedestrian walkways screened off with black netting.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that although negotiations were the best way out of Thailand's crisis, there was little chance the two sides would sit down together.
"There have been several attempts to connect with the Red Shirts. I'm sure you are fully aware how difficult it is to talk to them in a unified manner," he said.
Talks earlier this month ended in failure after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's offer of elections at the end of the year was rejected by the Reds, who want immediate polls.
The protesters are mainly supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and is living in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.
The Reds, who draw much of their support from the rural poor, say Abhisit's government is undemocratic because it came to power in a parliamentary vote after a court ruling removed Thaksin's allies from office.
