Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Thai PM Rejects Protester's Compromise Demand VOA News 24 April 2010 Anti-government demonstrators confront police in front of a makeshift barricade in Bangkok, Thailand, 23 Apr 2010 Photo: AP Anti-government demonstrators confront police in front of a makeshift barricade in Bangkok, Thailand, 23 Apr 2010 Thailand's media say Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected a compromise demand by anti-government protesters to dissolve parliament within 30 days and hold new elections. Protest leaders say they fear a crackdown after the prime minister's Saturday announcement. Heightened tensions have paralyzed Thailand's capital, Bangkok, for weeks.  The so-called Red Shirt protesters Friday softened their previous demand for immediate dissolution of parliament.   They want new elections to replace Mr. Abhisit, who they say came to power illegitimately. Most of them are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in 2006. Thai security forces have been trying to get the protesters to leave their encampment, which has shut down businesses and luxury hotels in Bangkok's retail hub. Military officials have said they will avoid the use of force. On April 10, a clash between the Red Shirts and Thai security forces left at least 25 people dead and 850 others injured. A series of grenade blasts Thursday killed one person near the protest site. The government has blamed protesters for launching the grenades, but the protesters deny any involvement. Former Prime Minister Thaksin was ousted in 2006 after corruption charges were brought against him. He lives in exile and faces a prison sentence in Thailand. He has a significant following among the country's rural and low-income population. Mr. Abhisit came to power in December 2008, after months of massive anti-Thaksin protests by the so-called Yellow Shirts.  Thailand's divisiveness threatened to widen as Bangkok citizens, frustrated with the Red Shirt's occupation, have banded together to drive them out of the city. The new "multicolored" coalition also includes members of the Yellow Shirts, who support Prime Minister Abhisit. The United Nations and the United States have urged the government and the protesters to work out their issues peacefully.  Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .