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Thai army moves to quell protests Thai army moves to quell protests
(20 minutes later)
The Thai army has fought running battles with protesters in the capital Bangkok in a bid to end days of mass demonstrations and political chaos.The Thai army has fought running battles with protesters in the capital Bangkok in a bid to end days of mass demonstrations and political chaos.
A BBC correspondent saw soldiers fire hundreds of live rounds, some into the crowds of protesters, in a bid to clear them from a major road junction.A BBC correspondent saw soldiers fire hundreds of live rounds, some into the crowds of protesters, in a bid to clear them from a major road junction.
The protesters reacted by hurling petrol bombs and driving buses they had commandeered at the lines of troops.The protesters reacted by hurling petrol bombs and driving buses they had commandeered at the lines of troops.
Dozens are reported to have been wounded in the clashes. The armed forces chief vowed to restore order using "all possible means".
The red-shirted protesters - thousands of whom are gathered outside the parliament buildings - have vowed to stay until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva resigns. But weapons would be used only for self-defence and not "excessively", Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara said on national television.
Mr Abhisit, who declared a state of emergency on Sunday, has appealed for calm and says his government is trying to ease the tense situation. The government has said it is taking measures to secure major ports and airports.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency on Sunday after the protests forced the cancellation of a major meeting of Asian leaders in the resort city of Pattaya.
The red-shirted protesters - many thousands of whom are camped outside Bangkok's Government House - have vowed to stay until Mr Abhisit resigns.
Water cannonWater cannon
Monday's clashes broke out after the military moved in the early hours to clear around 200 protesters at Din Daeng intersection, around 2km (1.2 miles) from parliament buildings. Monday's clashes broke out after the military moved in the early hours to clear around 200 protesters at Din Daeng intersection, around 2km (1.2 miles) from government buildings.
From Alastair Leithead in BangkokFrom Alastair Leithead in Bangkok
The military finally moved on to the streets of the capital with force. They pushed into the city before daylight to take a road intersection.The military finally moved on to the streets of the capital with force. They pushed into the city before daylight to take a road intersection.
For hours there were bursts of skirmishes between the protesters and the military who held their line with riot shields and automatic weapons.For hours there were bursts of skirmishes between the protesters and the military who held their line with riot shields and automatic weapons.
Petrol bombs and rocks were thrown but the military did not act as the stand off continued.Petrol bombs and rocks were thrown but the military did not act as the stand off continued.
Suddenly though, after a bus was set on fire, the troops moved in using water cannons to put out the flames and then opening fire with live rounds.Suddenly though, after a bus was set on fire, the troops moved in using water cannons to put out the flames and then opening fire with live rounds.
Some shot above the protesters heads, we watched as others clearly fired into the crowds.Some shot above the protesters heads, we watched as others clearly fired into the crowds.
We saw only one person injured, but there were reports of more casualties.We saw only one person injured, but there were reports of more casualties.
There were hours of skirmishes as demonstrators threw petrol bombs and rocks at lines of troops, who were carrying riot shields and automatic weapons, reports the BBC's Alastair Leithead from the scene.There were hours of skirmishes as demonstrators threw petrol bombs and rocks at lines of troops, who were carrying riot shields and automatic weapons, reports the BBC's Alastair Leithead from the scene.
The soldiers did not break their line until a bus, one of several commandeered by the protesters, was set alight.The soldiers did not break their line until a bus, one of several commandeered by the protesters, was set alight.
They then moved in with water cannon to put out the flames, before opening fire with live rounds.They then moved in with water cannon to put out the flames, before opening fire with live rounds.
Many soldiers shot above the protesters' heads, but some were clearly firing into the crowd, our correspondent said.Many soldiers shot above the protesters' heads, but some were clearly firing into the crowd, our correspondent said.
A second round of firing came after a bus was driven towards the military, before crashing into a motorway barrier.A second round of firing came after a bus was driven towards the military, before crashing into a motorway barrier.
The prime minister said 70 people had been injured, including 23 soldiers.The prime minister said 70 people had been injured, including 23 soldiers.
Monday is the start of a three-day holiday for the Thai New Year and many people have already left the capital for the provinces.Monday is the start of a three-day holiday for the Thai New Year and many people have already left the capital for the provinces.
Cancelled summitCancelled summit
One of the protest leaders accused the army of using excessive force against the protesters.One of the protest leaders accused the army of using excessive force against the protesters.
"We will stand firm indefinitely," Jakrapob Penkair told BBC World Service."We will stand firm indefinitely," Jakrapob Penkair told BBC World Service.
The government will keep working to return peace and order to the country Abhisit Vejjajiva Thai prime minister In pictures: Thai crackdown The government has carefully mapped out a plan to implement the law Abhisit Vejjajiva Thai prime minister In pictures: Thai crackdown
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva appealed for calm in a televised appeal.Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva appealed for calm in a televised appeal.
"The government has a tight plan to control the areas which are in trouble and try to ease the situation as soon as possible," he said. "Those who want to help the government restore normality can return home," he said.
"If anyone still wants to stage a protest, they are allowed to do that in a peaceful way and without any weapons which is allowed by the constitution". "The government has carefully mapped out a plan to implement the law".
The protests led to the cancellation of a major gathering of Asian leaders in Pattaya at the weekend - causing huge embarrassment to the prime minister, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says. The collapse of the Asean summit in Pattaya at the weekend caused huge embarrassment to the prime minister, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says.
He was filmed on Sunday with the commanders of the army, navy, air force and deputy police chief, saying "the government and security agencies are still unified".He was filmed on Sunday with the commanders of the army, navy, air force and deputy police chief, saying "the government and security agencies are still unified".
The protesters are supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was deposed in a coup in 2006 and now lives in self-imposed exile abroad.The protesters are supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was deposed in a coup in 2006 and now lives in self-imposed exile abroad.
He addressed his supporters by telephone on Sunday, calling for a "revolution".He addressed his supporters by telephone on Sunday, calling for a "revolution".
"Now that they have tanks on the streets, it is time for the people to come out in revolution," he said in a message shown on giant screens near the prime minister's office."Now that they have tanks on the streets, it is time for the people to come out in revolution," he said in a message shown on giant screens near the prime minister's office.
"And when it is necessary, I will come back to the country.""And when it is necessary, I will come back to the country."
Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored and the army can be deployed to help police maintain order.Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored and the army can be deployed to help police maintain order.
Last year, the government imposed a state of emergency on several occasions but the army refused to enact the measures.Last year, the government imposed a state of emergency on several occasions but the army refused to enact the measures.
That crisis eventually led to Mr Abhisit's government taking over from allies of Mr Thaksin.That crisis eventually led to Mr Abhisit's government taking over from allies of Mr Thaksin.
The problem for Mr Abhisit is that he came to power in December on the back of protests that were just as illegal, our correspondent says.The problem for Mr Abhisit is that he came to power in December on the back of protests that were just as illegal, our correspondent says.
He may look hypocritical if he only goes after the red-shirted protesters who embarrassed him.He may look hypocritical if he only goes after the red-shirted protesters who embarrassed him.
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