Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Saturday that it would be difficult to hold elections this year, which is likely to infuriate anti-government protesters involved in deadly riots last week. Abhisit had earlier offered to hold elections on Nov. 14, but took the offer off the table when it was rejected by the red-shirted protesters. "Obviously, it's a lot more difficult to hold elections by the end of the year," Abhisit said at a news conference, referring to the deepening social divides that led to the worst political violence in Thailand's modern history. He said peace had to be fully restored and a reconciliation plan needed to be implemented, but added polls would be held ahead of 2012, when his tenure ends.