The Thai PM has told the BBC that troops have the situation in Bangkok under control after a day of battles with anti-government protesters.
The Thai PM has told the BBC that troops have the situation in Bangkok under control after a day of battles with anti-government protesters.
Dozens were injured in battles between gun-toting soldiers and protesters armed with petrol bombs and sticks.
Dozens were injured in battles between gun-toting soldiers and protesters armed with petrol bombs and sticks.
PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC that people were entitled to carry out peaceful protests but were not allowed to riot or incite others.
PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC that people were entitled to carry out peaceful protests but were not allowed to riot or incite others.
"We are confident that we are in control of the situation," he said.
"We are confident that we are in control of the situation," he said.
After days of gathering protests by supporters of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Monday saw a dramatic escalation on the streets.
Soldiers were seen firing their guns into the air and into the crowds, while protesters burnt buses and threw firebombs in retaliation.
Blank bullets
Army spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said they were not firing real bullets.
"If the protesters show that that they intend to hurt the officials, we will use military training rifles on them with blank bullets made from paper, which will not hurt the protesters."
Mr Abhisit dismissed claims by the protesters that people had died, saying he had no confirmation of any fatalities from hospitals.
"We are here to restore order.
"If the people want to demonstrate peacefully, if they want to exercise their constitutional rights they are welcome to do so, but they cannot riot, they cannot incite people to break the law, they cannot intimidate and use violence against other people," he said in an interview from Bangkok.
He said the protesters numbered no more than 20,000, a decrease in the 100,000 who caused chaos with largely peaceful demonstrations last week.
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