Thai protesters to yield blocked Bangkok streets, consolidate dwindling numbers at park

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban speaks to supporters in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. The leader of Thailand's anti-government protest movement said Thursday he is willing to negotiate to end the country's political crisis, if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is willing to talk with him live, one-to-one, on every national television station. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

An anti-government protester listen to a speech of anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. The leader of Thailand's anti-government protest movement, Suthep Thaugsuban, said Thursday he is willing to negotiate to end the country's political crisis, if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is willing to talk with him live, one-to-one, on every national television station. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

The protesters who once threatened to shut down Thailand's capital say they are significantly scaling back their presence in the streets.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said in his nightly speech Friday that the protesters would withdraw from several stages erected at key intersections around the city. Starting Monday, they will consolidate at Lumpini Park, a central venue that has become a traditional protest site.

The number of full-time demonstrators has dwindled considerably, to just under 4,000 by the government's estimate. Deadly attacks recently on protest sites have accelerated calls for negotiations. The protesters are demanding Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra resign to make way for an unelected interim government to institute anti-corruption reforms.

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