Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday urged his supporters, who recently staged paralyzing protests, to join reconciliation talks with the Thai government.
Tens of thousands of his followers recently paralyzed the Thai capital for days with violent demonstrations, demanding new elections. They called off protests Tuesday after facing a major military crackdown.
"If the government wants to reconcile, I will encourage the red shirts to participate," Thaksin said in an interview with The Associated Press.
He has been on the run since fleeing Thailand ahead of a corruption conviction last year. His passport was revoked by Thai authorities on Sunday for inciting protesters.
Thaksin said he also wanted Thailand's widely respected King Bhumibol Adulyadej to help resolve the long-simmering political conflict -- which began with his ouster in a 2006 coup -- in a bid to quell future unrest.
Since he was removed from office, his supporters and opponents have alternately taken to the streets in bids to force several governments from power and bring their preferred leaders in.
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