A lengthy anti-government protest in the centre of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has broken up.
A lengthy anti-government protest in the centre of Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has broken up.
Large groups of demonstrators who had been camped around the Government House have been walking away from the area that has been occupied for three weeks.
Large groups of demonstrators who had been camped around the Government House have been walking away from the area that has been occupied for three weeks.
The news follows calls by protest leaders for people to leave the area, after thousands of police and soldiers moved to tighten a cordon overnight.
The news follows calls by protest leaders for people to leave the area, after thousands of police and soldiers moved to tighten a cordon overnight.
Two people died in clashes involving demonstrators and residents on Monday.
Two people died in clashes involving demonstrators and residents on Monday.
Red-shirted protesters are demanding the resignation of PM Abhisit Vejjajiva - but he has refused and has urged them to go home.
Red-shirted protesters are demanding the resignation of PM Abhisit Vejjajiva - but he has refused and has urged them to go home.
On Tuesday, large groups of activists walked away from their encampment outside the main government offices.
On Tuesday, large groups of activists walked away from their encampment outside the main government offices.
I'm sad that we've not received justice but if we'd have stayed we would have been in danger Kannika SaikaewProtester
I'm sad that we've not received justice but if we'd have stayed we would have been in danger Kannika SaikaewProtester
They were searched for weapons as they left, and the security service brought in 60 buses to transport them from the prime minister's office.
They were searched for weapons as they left, and the security service brought in 60 buses to transport them from the prime minister's office.
Many of the protesters come from rural areas of Thailand.
Many of the protesters come from rural areas of Thailand.
Several thousand had erected barricades following running battles with the army and the police on Monday, but their leaders called an end to the protest fearing further violence.
Several thousand had erected barricades following running battles with the army and the police on Monday, but their leaders called an end to the protest fearing further violence.
Most of the leaders have now turned themselves over to authorities.
Most of the leaders have now turned themselves over to authorities.
On Tuesday, protest leader Prateep Ungsongtham Hata told the AFP news agency: "We held talks among the leaders since last night and have agreed that we will disperse our protesters for a while."
On Tuesday, protest leader Prateep Ungsongtham Hata told the AFP news agency: "We held talks among the leaders since last night and have agreed that we will disperse our protesters for a while."
Ms Prateep said the leaders wanted to prevent any loss of life, saying the protesters "really want to fight and sacrifice themselves so we wanted to prevent a catastrophe".
Ms Prateep said the leaders wanted to prevent any loss of life, saying the protesters "really want to fight and sacrifice themselves so we wanted to prevent a catastrophe".
"We are not surrendering, we are just dispersing the gathering because we have done nothing wrong," she said.
"We are not surrendering, we are just dispersing the gathering because we have done nothing wrong," she said.
Another protest leader, Jatuporn Pronpan, told Reuters: "We have to stop because we need to look after the lives of our supporters."
Another protest leader, Jatuporn Pronpan, told Reuters: "We have to stop because we need to look after the lives of our supporters."
Debris and burnt buses still blocked Bangkok streets on Tuesday
About 120 people were injured in Monday's clashes. The streets were littered with the burnt wreckage of buses and other barricades.
About 120 people were injured in Monday's clashes. The streets were littered with the burnt wreckage of buses and other barricades.
Protester Kannika Saikaew, 37, said: "I'm sad that we've not received justice but if we'd have stayed we would have been in danger."
Protester Kannika Saikaew, 37, said: "I'm sad that we've not received justice but if we'd have stayed we would have been in danger."
After a weekend in which the prime minister's authority all but collapsed, PM Abhisit has now been able to reassert his control, says BBC correspondent Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
After a weekend in which the prime minister's authority all but collapsed, PM Abhisit has now been able to reassert his control, says BBC correspondent Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
But this remains a deeply divided society, with little consensus over who should govern it, he adds.
But this remains a deeply divided society, with little consensus over who should govern it, he adds.
The red shirts have largely lost popular support after the violence and destruction of Monday, he says.
The red shirts have largely lost popular support after the violence and destruction of Monday, he says.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.
The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.
