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Police clash with Thai protesters Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM
(about 1 hour later)
Scuffles have broken out in the Thai capital, Bangkok, between police and protesters occupying the main government buildings. Pressure is building on Thai PM Samak Sundaravej, as protests against his rule spread from the capital Bangkok.
The minor clashes broke out after police tried to serve a court order for the eviction of the demonstrators. Protesters are blocking major airports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Some strikes have also been called in support of the protests.
But police have not actually tried to evict the protesters, and the four-day-old stalemate continues. In Bangkok, police have pulled back from the compound where the main protests are being held, following scuffles earlier in the day.
The protesters say they will not leave until the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigns. The head of the Thai army has said the military will not mount a coup.
But Gen Anupong Paochinda did call for the government to hold negotiations with protesters - something it has so far refused to do.
The military is the decisive force in this confrontation, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok - and it looks as though it may now begin to intervene in the paralysing dispute.
The protests are led by a conservative group called the People's Alliance for Democracy.
They say Mr Samak is a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and is now in exile to avoid facing trial over corruption charges.They say Mr Samak is a puppet of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and is now in exile to avoid facing trial over corruption charges.
The demonstrations have been organised by a group calling itself the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) - formed three years ago as a movement to force Mr Thaksin out of office. Protests spread
The occupation of the main government complex in Bangkok is now in its fourth day. Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off Protesters say they will not leave until Mr Samak's government resigns.
There were minor clashes earlier on Friday after police tried to serve a court order for their eviction.
But the police suddenly pulled back their forces.
As well as the thousands of protesters in Bangkok, demonstrations are also said to have taken place at two major airports in the south of the country.
Phuket airport has closed, and there were reports of blockades at Krabi and Hat Yai. Reports suggested protesters were planning to mount similar actions at Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the north.
Some rail workers have gone on strike in support of the protests and to demand better work conditions.
Service has been disrupted on lines from Bangkok to the country's north-east, stranding thousands of passengers.
And union leaders - reportedly including that of flagship airline Thai Airways - have called for workers to join in. Strikes at state industries are banned, but unions get around the ban by urging their members to take sick leave.
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Protesters tussle with police in BangkokProtesters tussle with police in Bangkok
There was added pressure on Friday as rail workers went on strike in support of the protests and to demand better work conditions. Precarious
Service has been disrupted on lines from Bangkok to the country's north-east, stranding thousands of passengers. Rumours of an impending coup have been circulating in Thailand throughout the week, our correspondent says.
Stalemate For three days Gen Anupong has deliberately kept his forces above the fray.
More than 30,000 people joined the initial protests on Tuesday, and several thousand are still barricaded in Government House. But on Friday he decided to step in - insisting the military would not mount a coup, but also calling on the government to negotiate with protesters.
Many are armed with makeshift weapons, including golf clubs and bamboo sticks, and some have formed a human chain around the group's top leaders. The position of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who had hoped he could tough out these protests, now looks precarious, our correspondent says.
Despite increasingly insanitary conditions, they insist they will remain there until Mr Samak resigns. Most of the protesters are spending the time seated on plastic sheeting, clapping and cheering speeches by the group's leaders. This crisis began on Tuesday, when thousands of PAD supporters took to the streets of Bangkok and forced their way into government buildings.
Police armed with batons and shields went into the compound early on Friday to post the court order on lamp posts and gates. Witnesses said teargas was fired but police denied it. The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation - and it has re-emerged now that the country is being led by his former ally Mr Samak.
"We are trying to deal with the protesters as gently as possible. We are persuading them to leave the compound and will not do anything to those who follow the court order," police spokesman Surapol Thuanthong told reporters. The PAD does not have wide public backing, but it is well-funded and enjoys the support of some senior figures including within the military, our correspondent says.
Q&A: Bangkok protestsRifts behind the political crisisIn pictures: Thai stand-off
While it was clearly not a full-scale assault, it was still the most robust action by the authorities since the demonstrations began four days ago, according to the BBC correspondent in Bangkok, Jonathan Head.
Until now, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has promised what he calls a "soft and gentle" approach, and has won praise for his restraint in the local press.
But he has just appointed a more hard-line deputy police commissioner to command the units outside Government House.
According to our correspondent, this could perhaps be a sign that his patience with the protesters is running out.
Anti-Thaksin
The PAD was originally formed in the months before the 2006 coup, to demand Mr Thaksin's resignation.
It has re-emerged now that the country is being led by his former ally Mr Samak.
The PAD also objects to Mr Samak's plans to amend the constitution.
Mr Samak has vowed not to bow to the PAD demands for his resignation. He points out he was legitimately elected last December, and correspondents say he remains popular with Thailand's rural majority.
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