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 Prime Minister Begins Negotiations with Protest Leaders VOA News 28 March 2010 Thai soldiers leave from a horse racing field in Bangkok, 27 Mar 2010 Photo: AP Thai soldiers leave from a horse racing field in Bangkok, 27 Mar 2010 Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has begun talks with leaders of the anti-government "Red Shirt" movement, which has been staging mass protests in Bangkok to demand new elections. In his weekly television address Sunday morning, Mr. Abhisit said he would not be forced into meeting with the supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. But a few hours later, Mr. Abhisit's office made a special televised announcement saying he would meet protest leaders in a bid to restore peace and minimize the chance of violence. The announcement came after tens of thousands of protesters forced the military Saturday to withdraw from Bangkok's old historic quarter to avoid a confrontation. Troops have been stationed in the capital's center since the protests started two weeks ago. The so-called Red Shirts, drawn mostly from Thailand's poor, northern region, are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption. Mr. Thaksin, who is living in exile to avoid a jail sentence, remains widely popular with Thailand's rural poor and urban working classes. He frequently addresses his supporters by videolink. He recently urged them to increase pressure on the government. The ongoing protests are having an effect on Thailand's important tourism industry. The Association of Thai Travel Agents says visitor arrivals fell by between 20 and 30 percent this month. Business meetings have also been hit. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP. .