Red shirt protesters besiege the Parliament

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Theugsubhan said negotiation is launched between the government and leaders of the protesters, including Jatuporn Promphun and Veera Musikapong.

Police said the protesters allow reporters and parliament officials to enter the Parliament compound through Tewarin gate near Pichai Intersection.

However the protesters surrounded the gate and allowed people to enter and leave one by one.

Hundreds of police were deployed to the area and were told not to use forces or tear gas to disperse the protesters.

Suthep said if the negotiation failed, his government may postpone the delivery of the policy statements. By laws, a government has to deliver policy statement within 15 days. For Abhisit government, it has to do within January 7, 2009.

Earlier Jatuporn, a rally organiser, said their objective is to pressure Abhisit into dissolving Parliament for a snap general election.

Rally organisers have threatened to prevent ingress to Parliament House during the policy debate set for today and tomorrow.

Abhisit earlier said authorities would maintain law and order so the people could celebrate New Year's without undue concern.

He also vowed not to resort to a violent crackdown on the red shirts.