The government in Thailand says it would consider dialogue with Red Shirt protesters if they halt their attacks.

After earlier rejecting a proposal from the protesters to enter UN-supervised talks, the government this morning said they are ready to go forward with negotiation, ‘when the situation is defused’.

A deadline for women, children and the elderly to leave the main compound in Bangkok is due to expire shortly.

Irish journalist Simon Roughneen is in the Thai capital – he says most protesters are ignoring the order, and it’s not clear what will happen as a result.

“The 3pm deadline is there for the women and children to leave” he said.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a case if at 3 o’clock they’re still there, the army will move in and start shooting all around them anyway”.

“I don’t think the Thai government is that foolhardy that it wants to risk its international reputation by what would almost certainly be an indiscriminate slaughter” he added.