DHAKA: The Thai prime minister has proposed the formation of a national reform council to find solutions to the political turmoil that is splitting the country and paralysing governance.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra`s announcement on Wednesday means she can portray herself as being committed to reconciliation in the face of a protest movement seeking to topple her government via civil disobedience and vowing to disrupt elections on February 2.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has already indicated he would not accept the idea of a reform council as a way out of the crisis.

Yingluck said the council would not be a government body, and its membership would be appointed by an independent commission, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1420 HRS, DEC 24, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor