THE government is ready to hold a public hearing on Thursday in an attempt to solve the Assembly of the Poor (AOP )'s 16 grievances, government spokesman Akapol Sorasuchart said yesterday.

Responding to an AOP proposal for such a hearing, Akapol said the government was ready to arrange and televise the event, expected to include representatives from all concerned parties. "I believe that this public hearing will bring about effective solutions," he said.

Akapol said he thought that the government would also make it clear why it could not resolve some of the protesters' demands, while offering alternative solutions.

Meanwhile AOP advisor Nitirat Subsomboon called on the government to let academic institutions arrange the hearing. He also suggested that Senator Chirmsak Pinthong should be the moderator and that the AOP leaders, concerned ministers and neutral committee members who had earlier been appointed to look into the assembly's problems attend the event.

Another AOP leader, Paichit Silarak, said the protesters would continue with their hunger strike, adding that more volunteers would be found to replace weakened participants.

Well-known activist Chalad Worachat, dressed in white, yesterday joined the hunger strike and vowed to fast until August 8.

AOP advisor Chaipan Prapatwas said Chalad's participation would not cause any problems despite the fact he would attract additional reporters to the protest site, which could disturb other protesters on hunger strike.

Chaipan also dismissed speculation that Chalad's affiliation with a certain political party would make people think that a third party was behind the protest movement, saying that many politicians had visited the protesters and given them basic necessities.

In another development in Si Sa Ket, more than 1,000 Rasi Salai Dam protesters, led by the AOP, said yesterday they would join the hunger strike outside Government House.

Protest leader Pranee Rungruang said transport arrangements were being prepared.

Meanwhile Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Wannarat Kotcharak yesterday convened an urgent meeting to come up with measures to prepare police for future developments concerning the protest movement.

After the meeting Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Maj-General Damrongsak Nilkuha said that more police officers from Provincial Police Regions 1, 2 and 7, as well as border police, would be brought in.