Thai soldiers are now marching to the Government House Monday afternoon, the main venue for the red-shirted anti-government protestors.

Thai soldiers are marching to the Government House Monday afternoon, the main venue for the red-shirted anti-government protestors. [Photo: CNS]

Earlier, the security authorities have managed to disperse red-shirted protestors from many areas in capital Bangkok as traffic near Victory Monument and nearby roads have resumed, acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayagorn said.

All roads from the Foreign Ministry to Phaya Thai intersection and to Victory Monument are now safe for motorists and people, the website of local newspaper The Nation reported.

Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the troops have seized controls of five areas, where protesters earlier blocked roads. These places are Victory monument, Tuek Chai Intersection, Makkasan Intersection, in front of the Channel 5, and Din Daeng Intersection.

But according to Thai TV reports, three other intersections in Bangkok were under the anti-government attacks. In Misakkawan, Urupong, and Rama 9 intersection, the red-shirted protestors set fire to tyres and buses as smoke could be seen from high buildings. And near the army headquarters in central Bangkok, seven buses are on fire at press time.

Meanwhile, the leader of red-shirted protestors Natthawut Saikua told supporters to use Government House as its final protest stronghold and urged supporters to mass there to deter a crackdown by government troops, according to the report on the website of newspaper Bangkok Post.

He urged protestors elsewhere in Bangkok not to clash with the authorities.

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.

Soon after the declaration of the state of emergency, soldiers and armored carriers were deployed onto the Bangkok street. So far, more than 70 people have been wounded in clashes between army soldiers and anti-government protestors.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)