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 Govt. Rejects Protesters' Offer of UN-Mediated Talks VOA News 16 May 2010 Smoke Billows Across Bangkok Skyline, May 16, 2010 Photo: VOA's D.Schearf Smoke Billows Across Bangkok Skyline, May 16, 2010 The Thai government has rejected calls by opposition protesters for U.N.-mediated talks to end three days of deadly battles between the two sides in the capital, Bangkok. The opposition activists, known as Red Shirts, said Sunday they were ready for U.N.-mediated negotiations provided the military stops a crackdown on their encampment. Smoke rose above the city Sunday as Red Shirts set fire to tires at a barricade around their protest site in Bangkok's main commercial district. Thai troops began sealing off the encampment Thursday and have fired on militant Red Shirts, who have been fighting back with homemade explosives and rocks. The violence has killed at least 25 people and wounded about 200 others. The Thai government extended a state of emergency to five more provinces Sunday and declared public holidays in Bangkok for Monday and Tuesday to help it deal with the unrest.  Earlier Sunday, the Thai military canceled plans to impose a curfew in parts of the capital, saying the government no longer saw a need for such a measure.  Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said late Saturday his government will not back down from confronting the anti-government Red Shirts. Mr. Abhisit said the government's plan is to return to normalcy with what he called "minimal loss" as soon as possible. The Red Shirts want early elections to replace a government they see as illegitimate and elitist. Many of them are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted by the military in a 2006 coup and now living in exile. Mr. Abhisit made what he called a "final" offer to the Red Shirts last week to dissolve parliament and hold new elections in November, more than a year ahead of schedule. The Red Shirts rejected his proposal. Some information for this report was provided by AP, Reuters. .