Thai government announced on Monday that foreigners' safety at the ports and international airports will be ensured, and security and peace will be brought back as soon as possible.

Acting Thai government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn made the announcement in a TV address amid the increasingly intense situation in Bangkok as the Thai anti-government protesters spread their rallies to many areas across the city, demanding Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby, citing the escalating violence of red- shirted protesters.

A clash occurred around 04:30 a.m. Monday between some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters and Thai soldiers stationed at DinDaeng District in north Bangkok, leaving about 70 injured.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)