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Thai police remove barricades to police and PM offices Thai police remove barricades to police and PM offices
(35 minutes later)
Thai protesters have entered the government's headquarters after police removed barricades from outside both Government House and the police office.Thai protesters have entered the government's headquarters after police removed barricades from outside both Government House and the police office.
The mood in the capital Bangkok appeared calmer after the police move, which officials said was aimed at avoiding further confrontation. The mood in the capital Bangkok appeared considerably calmer after the move, which followed clashes over the weekend and on Monday.
The move followed clashes over the weekend and on Monday, with tear gas and rubber bullets used. But as tensions fell, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban vowed to fight on and remove the government.
The Thai prime minister has rejected protesters' demands that she step down.The Thai prime minister has rejected protesters' demands that she step down.
Yingluck Shinawatra said she was open to negotiations but that calls for the government to be replaced by an appointed council were illegal and unconstitutional.Yingluck Shinawatra said she was open to negotiations but that calls for the government to be replaced by an appointed council were illegal and unconstitutional.
The protests, which began on 24 November, had been largely peaceful until Saturday, when they became violent.The protests, which began on 24 November, had been largely peaceful until Saturday, when they became violent.
Over the weekend and on Monday demonstrators tried to break apart police barricades and storm the prime minister's office, Government House, with police using tear gas and water cannon to repel them.Over the weekend and on Monday demonstrators tried to break apart police barricades and storm the prime minister's office, Government House, with police using tear gas and water cannon to repel them.
'No confrontation''No confrontation'
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday that the protesters would "take over the Metropolitan Police Bureau and make it the people's". Protest leader and former opposition politician Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday that the protesters would "take over the Metropolitan Police Bureau and make it the people's".
On Tuesday morning - in a surprise and possibly shrewd move - the police took down barriers and razor wire outside their building and it was announced that the protesters were welcome inside, the BBC's Jonah Fisher reports from Bangkok.On Tuesday morning - in a surprise and possibly shrewd move - the police took down barriers and razor wire outside their building and it was announced that the protesters were welcome inside, the BBC's Jonah Fisher reports from Bangkok.
Protesters are also being allowed through the barricades outside Government House, the scene of violence on Monday.Protesters are also being allowed through the barricades outside Government House, the scene of violence on Monday.
Demonstrators gathered on the lawn of the headquarters, blowing whistles and waving flags. AFP news agency reported a "carnival" atmosphere at the site, with protesters shaking hands with police officers. Demonstrators gathered on the lawn of the headquarters, blowing whistles and waving flags. AFP news agency reported a "carnival" atmosphere at the site.
There were also reports of protesters shaking hands with police officers and offering them roses.
The police move is seen as an attempt to prevent further clashes.The police move is seen as an attempt to prevent further clashes.
"The protesters said they want to seize government buildings, but the government doesn't want to see any fighting or confrontation so we've ordered the police to back off," government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi told reporters. Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said the government was still functioning, but had asked the police to back off.
"In every area where there has been confrontation, we have now ordered all police to withdraw," police chief Kamronvit Thoopkrachang told Reuters. "We see the protesters just want to seize these places as a symbolic action, so we want to compromise," he told Reuters.
Police chief Kamronvit Thoopkrachang also told Reuters: "In every area where there has been confrontation, we have now ordered all police to withdraw."
"Today, we won't use tear gas, no confrontation, we will let them in if they want," he said."Today, we won't use tear gas, no confrontation, we will let them in if they want," he said.
Protesters have described the latest developments as a victory for the people. Protesters have described the latest developments as a win for the people.
"Today we won a partial victory but we will fight on until the Thaksin regime has been driven out," Mr Suthep said, referring to Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Yingluck's brother.
The demonstrators want to replace the government with an unelected "People's Council", alleging Ms Yingluck's government is controlled by Mr Thaksin, an exiled former leader.
Thailand's courts has issued two arrest warrants for Mr Suthep, although police have not attempted to arrest him so far.
'Repeat of history''Repeat of history'
On Monday, skirmishes broke out at police barricades, with protesters throwing stones and homemade explosives, and security forces using tear gas and rubber bullets.On Monday, skirmishes broke out at police barricades, with protesters throwing stones and homemade explosives, and security forces using tear gas and rubber bullets.
Four people have died in clashes since Saturday. It is Thailand's worst political turmoil since the 2010 rallies that ended in violence.Four people have died in clashes since Saturday. It is Thailand's worst political turmoil since the 2010 rallies that ended in violence.
The demonstrators want to replace the government with an unelected "People's Council", alleging Ms Yingluck's government is controlled by her brother, ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
One protester told Reuters: "We don't want to dissolve parliament, we don't want new elections because we will lose anyway. We want [the Shinawatra family] to leave the country."One protester told Reuters: "We don't want to dissolve parliament, we don't want new elections because we will lose anyway. We want [the Shinawatra family] to leave the country."
On Monday, a court issued a second warrant for the arrest of protest leader Mr Suthep on charges of insurrection.
The former opposition politician said on Sunday that Ms Yingluck should resign within the next "two days", but she has so far resisted.
"Anything I can do to make people happy, I am willing to do... but as prime minister, what I can do must be under the constitution," Ms Yingluck said in a televised address on Monday."Anything I can do to make people happy, I am willing to do... but as prime minister, what I can do must be under the constitution," Ms Yingluck said in a televised address on Monday.
Ms Yingluck has said that she would not authorise the use of force against protesters.Ms Yingluck has said that she would not authorise the use of force against protesters.
"I believe that no-one wants to see a repeat of history, where we saw the people suffer and lose their lives,'' she said on Monday."I believe that no-one wants to see a repeat of history, where we saw the people suffer and lose their lives,'' she said on Monday.
More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died when thousands of red-shirt Thaksin supporters held a two-month sit-in in the centre of Bangkok in 2010.More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died when thousands of red-shirt Thaksin supporters held a two-month sit-in in the centre of Bangkok in 2010.
Ms Yingluck's brother, Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 that left the country bitterly divided.Ms Yingluck's brother, Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 that left the country bitterly divided.
Her government, which has broad support outside the capital, took office after winning elections in 2011.Her government, which has broad support outside the capital, took office after winning elections in 2011.
But the protesters allege that Mr Thaksin runs the government from overseas exile and accuse the current administration of using populist policies that are hurting Thailand's economy to remain in power.But the protesters allege that Mr Thaksin runs the government from overseas exile and accuse the current administration of using populist policies that are hurting Thailand's economy to remain in power.