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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Thai PM rejects protest ultimatum | Thai PM rejects protest ultimatum |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has appeared on national television to reject a demand from demonstrators that he resign by midday and call elections. | |
| Anti-government protesters in Thailand have gathered outside an army barracks where Mr Abhisit has been holed up. | Anti-government protesters in Thailand have gathered outside an army barracks where Mr Abhisit has been holed up. |
| The rally, led by red shirt supporters of ousted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, is one of the largest in recent years. | |
| Some 50,000 soldiers and police have been deployed in Bangkok, although the protests have been peaceful so far. | Some 50,000 soldiers and police have been deployed in Bangkok, although the protests have been peaceful so far. |
| Tens of thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Battalion barracks in the north of the Thai capital. | |
| Several thousand extra soldiers have been sent there to reinforce security. | |
| Call for calm | Call for calm |
| Flanked by ministers and coalition allies, Mr Abhisit appeared on national television as the protesters' deadline for him to step down passed. | |
| "The protesters have demanded that I dissolve the house before midday (0500 GMT) today, but the coalition parties agree the demand cannot be met," he said. | |
| We will push out the protesters if they trespass into the base Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd Army spokesman | We will push out the protesters if they trespass into the base Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd Army spokesman |
| "Elections must be held under common rules and genuine calm. We have to listen to other people's voices, not just the protesters." | |
| Mr Abhisit then left the army base by helicopter, saying he wanted to inspect the traffic. The BBC's Rachel Harvey, who is outside the barracks, says it is not clear where he is now. | |
| At the moment the protest is peaceful and good-humoured, our reporter adds. | |
| Thai army spokesman Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said security forces wanted to avoid violence. | |
| PM Abhisit has been holed up at military barracks all weekend | PM Abhisit has been holed up at military barracks all weekend |
| "We will push out the protesters if they trespass into the base. The final step is that rubber bullets would be fired at them, but the army has no wish to disperse the demonstration," he said. | "We will push out the protesters if they trespass into the base. The final step is that rubber bullets would be fired at them, but the army has no wish to disperse the demonstration," he said. |
| Mr Abhisit is usually based at Government House, but this is now the scene of a huge red-shirt protest camp. | Mr Abhisit is usually based at Government House, but this is now the scene of a huge red-shirt protest camp. |
| As the protesters marched on Bangkok over the weekend, the prime minister moved into the barracks as a precaution. | As the protesters marched on Bangkok over the weekend, the prime minister moved into the barracks as a precaution. |
| About 100,000 of the demonstrators held rallies in Bangkok on Sunday. | About 100,000 of the demonstrators held rallies in Bangkok on Sunday. |
| Political speeches culminated in a video address by Mr Thaksin, who told the crowd they were bringing democracy to Thailand. | Political speeches culminated in a video address by Mr Thaksin, who told the crowd they were bringing democracy to Thailand. |
| Mr Thaksin is living in self-imposed overseas exile after receiving a two-year sentence in absentia for abuse of power; his supporters say that case was politically motivated. | |
| Thaksin is living outside Thailand, but is still the focus of the protests | Thaksin is living outside Thailand, but is still the focus of the protests |
| The protesters say the present government was installed illegally after Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006, and two subsequent allied governments were deposed by court action. | The protesters say the present government was installed illegally after Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006, and two subsequent allied governments were deposed by court action. |
| The red-shirt protest leaders insist their movement is non-violent. | The red-shirt protest leaders insist their movement is non-violent. |
| They say they are prepared to stay in the capital for five days, to pressure the government into calling new elections. | They say they are prepared to stay in the capital for five days, to pressure the government into calling new elections. |
| The military has been given extra powers to impose curfews and restrict numbers at gatherings if necessary. | The military has been given extra powers to impose curfews and restrict numbers at gatherings if necessary. |
| The last major protests, in April 2009, turned violent, with two deaths and dozens of people injured. | The last major protests, in April 2009, turned violent, with two deaths and dozens of people injured. |
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