The International Crisis Group says that from eyewitness' evidence, it believes at least 30,000 civilians were killed and countless others wounded and deprived of food and medicine. It says there should be an independent international inquiry into possible war crimes by both sides. But it comes down most heavily on the government, saying there's evidence that intentionally shelled civilians, hospitals and humanitarian operations. The authorities here, have however repeatedly denied inflicting civilian casualties.

The government of Thailand says it's received an offer of a truce from anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok. A deadline for the demonstrators to leave their fortified camp had earlier passed with no sign of resolution to the crisis. Lucy Williamson is in Bangkok.

On the brink of war in the Thai capital a faint glimmer of peace, several hours after the government's deadline expired, a senior aid to the Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu confirmed he'd been caught by a protest leader with a fresh offer of negotiations. Mr. Sabhavasu hasn't ruled it out, but he said the protestors must first stop attacking the troops, ringing their encampment. The question now is whether the protest leaders will agree and whether there will be able to control the increasing divided groups aligned with them. At least 37 people have died in clashes since last Thursday.

World News from the BBC.

Officials in central India say at least 35 people, most of them civilians were killed when suspected Maoist rebels detonated a landmine under a passenger bus. The attack took place in the state of Chhattisgarh which has witnessed fierce fighting between the Maoist and government forces.