Red shirts run amok

Military and police forces were on alert Sunday night as the government stood firm behind its order for rioters to clear the streets or face harsher measures under a state of emergency.

Armed soldiers supported by armoured personnel carriers and police in riot gear were deployed across the city on Sunday as members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship vowed to fight to the death to overthrow the Democrat-led government.

The government declared a state of emergency over Bangkok and surrounding provinces after red shirt protesters went on a rampage, attacking senior government officials, bodyguards and police.

The prime minister narrowly escaped himself after protesters stormed the Interior Ministry where he had just addressed the nation on television.

Earlier report: State of emergency in Bangkok

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva warned in his television address that the red shirts had crossed the line and this required a firm response.

"I want to tell protesters that you have no right to break the law or to restrict other people's rights," Mr Abhisit said.  "Otherwise the government must implement further measures under the state of emergency.

"I ask the public to remain calm. I'm confident the government will restore normalcy to our country."

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban also appeared on television, telling  soldiers and police to strictly enforce the law against the protesters.

"I am now in charge," he said. "I will take full responsibility for your actions in enforcing the law to restore peace."

The trouble began when the demonstrators blocked traffic in front of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek road and the Royal Thai Police Office on Rama I road to demand the release of a key UDD leader, Arisman Pongruangrong, who was arrested at his home yesterday morning.

Bands of red shirt protesters, angered by the arrest, held rallies in several areas of the capital to demand his release.

The government replied by declaring a state of emergency over Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Ayutthaya.

About a thousand red shirts responded by surrounding the Interior Ministry in a bid to capture Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep who used the venue to make their televised announcements.

The two narrowly escaped the protesters who stormed into the ministry compound and smashed the prime minister's limousine and other cars with wooden sticks and pavement slabs.

They believed the leaders were in the vehicles The attack caused serious damage to the vehicles but the prime minister and Mr Suthep managed to slip out of the compound in a separate car unharmed.

A gunshot was heard as the crowds were trying  tried to stop the motorcade. The prime minister's limousine was able to get away but a station wagon belonging to his bodyguard was stopped and smashed.

One of the prime minister's security guards and a police officer were assaulted and taken to the red shirts' demonstration site at Government House.

A dozen other people including red  shirt protesters were also injured in the brief clash.

The prime minister's guard and the policeman were locked in a container close to the UDD stage at Government  House before being given first aid and released.

Also attacked and injured was the prime minister's secretary-general, Nibhon Phromphan.

Mr Nibhon was taken to hospital after red shirt protesters chased his car as it was about to leave a parking building inside the Interior Ministry compound.

They dragged him from the car and beat him. His driver was also injured.

After leaving the Interior Ministry, Mr Abhisit was reached by a reporter on the telephone.

"I am safe and unhurt but my people were arrested," the prime minister said. "The gunshot was an accident ... a guard's gun was being snatched and it went off accidentally. We did not mean to fire at people."

Despite the possibility the army and police might use force to disperse them, demonstrators continued to join the UDD rally at Government House and separate rallies at intersections throughout late yesterday.

Some rioters seized at least two armoured personnel carriers from troops who were sent to guard public areas, while others seized public buses to set up road blockades.

More road blocks were also reported at key intersections around the main rally ground as night fell, in open defiance of the government's order for the protesters to disperse.

The demonstrators' spirits were kept  high by UDD leaders' speeches and phone-in messages from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In one phone-in, Thaksin said he would return to Thailand if authorities dispersed his supporters using violence.

Thaksin said he was closely monitoring the state of emergency.

"I will monitor the situation and if necessary I will return to Thailand and lead a long march of people. I will not allow them [authorities] to use force," Thaksin said.