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Thailand police fend off mass protests in Bangkok Thailand police fend off mass protests in Bangkok
(about 3 hours later)
Police in Thailand have fended off protesters who descended on key sites in Bangkok trying to unseat the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.Police in Thailand have fended off protesters who descended on key sites in Bangkok trying to unseat the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.
Protesters entered TV stations to ensure their leader's call for a general strike for Monday was broadcast and Ms Yingluck was forced to evacuate a police complex. Protesters entered TV stations and Ms Yingluck was forced to evacuate a police complex.
However, tear gas and water cannon defied protesters at Government House and the police HQ was also defended. However, tear gas and water cannon halted protesters at Government House.
Four people have died in the violence. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban later met Ms Yingluck and gave her an ultimatum of two days to "return power to the people".
Sunday is the eighth day of protests aimed at unseating Ms Yingluck. In addition to those killed, dozens of people have been injured. He did not immediately specify what action would follow if the ultimatum were not heeded.
"There was no negotiation and no compromise," Mr Suthep was quoted as saying.
"I told Yingluck that this is the only and last time I see her until power is handed over to the people.
"There will be no bargaining and it must be finished in two days."
Sunday is the eighth day of protests aimed at unseating Ms Yingluck. Four people have died and dozens have been injured in the unrest.
The protesters had declared Sunday the decisive "V-Day" of what they termed a "people's coup".The protesters had declared Sunday the decisive "V-Day" of what they termed a "people's coup".
They say Ms Yingluck's administration is controlled by her brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and they want to replace it with a "People's Council".They say Ms Yingluck's administration is controlled by her brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and they want to replace it with a "People's Council".
Some 30,000 protesters gathered at about eight sites, police said, including Government House, television stations and the police headquarters. Some 30,000 protesters had gathered earlier at about eight sites, police said, including Government House, television stations and the police headquarters.
Protesters did enter several TV stations to ensure the message from their leader, ex-deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, was aired. Protesters did enter several TV stations to ensure a message from Mr Suthep was aired. It was broadcast by almost all of Thailand's channels.
It was broadcast by almost all of Thailand's channels. He called a general strike for government employees for Monday.
He said: "To continue the people's operation and to eliminate Thaksin's regime, the People's Democratic Reform Committee would like to announce that Monday 2nd December is a holiday for every government section." He also urged the government to "think of the country, stop blaming and hurting the people, and return the power to the people".
He called on the government to "think of the country, stop blaming and hurting the people, and return the power to the people".
Mr Suthep said protesters had seized a dozen government buildings, but national security chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr told Reuters that none had been taken over.Mr Suthep said protesters had seized a dozen government buildings, but national security chief Paradorn Pattanathabutr told Reuters that none had been taken over.
"They haven't seized a single place," he said."They haven't seized a single place," he said.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says protesters had approached their targets in cheering, colourful columns, but could not get past the clouds of gas and concrete barricades.The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says protesters had approached their targets in cheering, colourful columns, but could not get past the clouds of gas and concrete barricades.
He says Mr Suthep had promised a people's revolt to overthrow the entire political system but by the end of the day he had lowered his ambitions, to a one-day general strike called for Monday. Ms Yingluck had intended to give media interviews on Sunday at a Bangkok police complex but was forced to evacuate when protesters tried to break in.
Ms Yingluck had intended to give media interviews on Sunday at a Bangkok police complex but was forced to evacuate when protesters tried to break in. Her whereabouts are unknown.
A police spokesman, Piya Utayo, said security forces would be deployed to take back "government property" occupied by protesters in the past week.A police spokesman, Piya Utayo, said security forces would be deployed to take back "government property" occupied by protesters in the past week.
However, many protesters remain on the streets and the weekend's violence marks a sharp escalation of the unrest.However, many protesters remain on the streets and the weekend's violence marks a sharp escalation of the unrest.
Deputy PM Pracha Promnok urged people in the capital to stay indoors from 22:00 to 05:00 local time (15:00-22:00 GMT) "so they will not become victims of provocateurs".Deputy PM Pracha Promnok urged people in the capital to stay indoors from 22:00 to 05:00 local time (15:00-22:00 GMT) "so they will not become victims of provocateurs".
Election ruled outElection ruled out
The worst violence occurred when students attacked vehicles bringing pro-government activists to a Bangkok stadium on Saturday.The worst violence occurred when students attacked vehicles bringing pro-government activists to a Bangkok stadium on Saturday.
Early on Sunday, pro-government "red shirt" leaders said they were ending their mass rally at the stadium to allow security forces to police rival demonstrations.Early on Sunday, pro-government "red shirt" leaders said they were ending their mass rally at the stadium to allow security forces to police rival demonstrations.
Up until Saturday the protests had been largely peaceful, with Ms Yingluck saying the government would only use minimum force.Up until Saturday the protests had been largely peaceful, with Ms Yingluck saying the government would only use minimum force.
Soldiers were then called in to help the riot police.Soldiers were then called in to help the riot police.
Our correspondent says military commanders have been reluctant to get involved but agreed to deploy the troops on condition they would carry no weapons and would stand behind riot police ringing the main government offices.Our correspondent says military commanders have been reluctant to get involved but agreed to deploy the troops on condition they would carry no weapons and would stand behind riot police ringing the main government offices.
There is a high risk of greater violence if more supporters of Ms Yingluck - whose party enjoys strong backing outside Bangkok - try to come to the capital, our correspondent adds.There is a high risk of greater violence if more supporters of Ms Yingluck - whose party enjoys strong backing outside Bangkok - try to come to the capital, our correspondent adds.
On Friday Ms Yingluck ruled out early elections, telling the BBC that the country was not calm enough for polls. She repeated her call for negotiations to resolve the crisis.On Friday Ms Yingluck ruled out early elections, telling the BBC that the country was not calm enough for polls. She repeated her call for negotiations to resolve the crisis.
Thailand is facing its largest protests since 2010, when thousands of red-shirt Thaksin supporters occupied key parts of the capital. More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died over the course of the two-month sit-in.Thailand is facing its largest protests since 2010, when thousands of red-shirt Thaksin supporters occupied key parts of the capital. More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died over the course of the two-month sit-in.