Blasts hit Bangkok

The grenade blasts occurred near the site of anti-government protests.

Thai Premeir Abhisit Vejjajiva has called an emergency meeting to discuss the situation with security officials.

The explosions came as the army warned anti-government protesters to leave the rally site before a crackdown. Army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said the time for the protesters to move out was running out and the authorities would take decisive action to disperse them.

"We don't want you to risk your lives. If there is a clash you could be hurt by stray bullets," said army spokesman Sunsern.

An attempt by security forces to disperse the protesters on April 10 led to violent clashes, claiming 25 lives. More than 800 people were also wounded.

The protesters, who are led by the United Democratic Front against Dictatorship or UDD, better known as the Red Shirts, however remain defiant.

Red Shirts fortify encampments

They have surrounded themselves with barricades in Bangkok's commercial district. They say that the army's attempt to forcefully evict them will be futile.

They insist they will only leave Bangkok when the prime minister dissolves parliament and calls early elections.

Earlier on Thursday hundreds of the Red Shirts marched to UN headquarters to hand in a petition. They have urged the UN to send a peace-keeping force to prevent the Thai authorities from using the military against them.

Talks: no chance

Meanwhile Prime Minster Abhisit has reiterated that he wants to hold negotiations with the Red Shirts.

The Red Shirts have however ruled out any talks until the army withdraws.

Negotiations between the premier and the protesters collapsed last month when the Red Shirts rejected his offer to dissolve parliament at the end of this year.

Protests escalating

The Red Shirts' protests seem to be spreading beyond Bangkok. On Wednesday, the protesters blocked a train carrying military vehicles in the north eastern province of Khon Kaen, claiming the vehicles would be used to suppress protesters in the capital.

The train was only able to continue its journey after police assured demonstrators that it was going to the south of the country. No violence was reported.

Meanwhile the Thai media say that a group supporting the government is planning to hold a rally against the Red Shirts on Friday.

The group reportedly includes office workers, shopkeepers, the middle class and members of the pro-government 'Yellow Shirts' who also staged massive protests in 2008 against a pro-Thaksin government.

du/ AFP/ Reuters/ dpa
Editor: Grahame Lucas