AKIPRESS.COM - Alarmed by the prospect of bloodshed in Thailand as a six-month political crisis nears a critical juncture, former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has called for talks between the government and opposition, urging compromise to restore stability, Reuters reported.

The 49-year-old leader of Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party has joined street demonstrations in Bangkok aiming to force out Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and his party boycotted a February 2 election, which was nullified by a court in March after widespread disruption.

But now Abhisit appears to be putting some distance between himself and protesters.

Violence is threatening to increase, he said on Wednesday. “Given the accumulated frustration and loss of opportunity for the country, it's really time that people begin to speak up for the middle ground.”

The protests, which attracted more than 200,000 people at their height, have dwindled but hard-core demonstrators say they will continue to harass the government and disrupt any new election until Yingluck's government is toppled.

Her opponents have also taken to the courts to remove her, alleging abuse of power and other infractions.