The leader of Thailand’s pro-government "Red Shirt" movement called Thursday for a national referendum to resolve a political deadlock that prompted the army chief to declare martial law.

The leader of Thailand's pro-government "Red Shirt" movement called Thursday for a national referendum to resolve a political deadlock that prompted the army chief to declare martial law.

Jatuporn Prompan said he made the proposal a day earlier during closed-door talks between the kingdom's warring political camps that were ordered by army general Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

"Whatever the outcome is, we are ready to accept it (a referendum result)," Jatuporn said at a press conference.
"We are not extremists who don't listen to anything."

Further talks were set for Thursday at 2 pm (0700 GMT).

The referendum would ask Thai voters to decide on a key dispute between the Red Shirts and a virulent anti-government movement that has waged a debilitating protest campaign for seven months.

The Red Shirts want new national polls they hope will provide a fresh mandate to the beleaguered elected government.

But the anti-government protesters are demanding vague reforms first. The reforms are widely seen as a bid to cripple the political power of the Red Shirt's hero, deposed former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The opposing camps and other top political actors met for more than two hours of rare talks in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Prayut, 60, invoked martial law Tuesday, saying he acted to prevent political tensions spiraling out of control but insists he intends to broker a solution.