They said that they are prepared to accept a five-point deal being offered by the government, including a call for new elections in November but will not end their demonstrations until the prime minister announces when he will dissolve parliament.

The crowd erupted in a roar of approval when their leaders told them of the deal, which seems to remove the threat of a violent crackdown on the protesters.

Thousands of anti-government protesters have brought the center of Thailand's capital to a standstill for weeks as they seek to unseat Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government, which they say is illegitimate and undemocratic.

More than two dozen civilians and military personnel have died since protesters began occupying key tourism and shopping areas in Thailand's capital.

Riot police and government troops had massed along a major highway to stop the progress of an anti-government convoy headed toward a location where demonstrators have gathered in the past.