Maj-General Khattiya is facing the prospect of being sacked from the army after a Defense Ministry panel found him guilty in " military criminal cases", the Bangkok Post website quoted an army source as saying. He may become the army's first major general to be stripped of his rank.

The clash came after Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva decided to end the two-month standoff following his withdrawal of the Nov. 14 election proposal Thursday.

Abhisit proposed his reconciliation roadmap and offered the Nov. 14 poll date on May 3. He later announced house dissolution date between Sept. 15 to 30.

"Red-shirts" movement accepted the house dissolution and poll date but refused to end the two-month-long rally unless Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuangsuban surrenders to police.

"Red shirt" members are seen at a rally site in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on May 13, 2010. Transportation systems nearby the anti-government rally site in central Bangkok suspended public services from 06:00 p.m. after the government announced that troops will surround the rally site to seal off the area. [Thana Nuntavoranut/Xinhua]

On Thursday night, the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) declared extension of state of emergency to more provinces, in addition to existing areas in capital Bangkok and nearby provinces, which was announced on April 7, 2010.

These additional provinces include eastern Chonburi province, northern Chiang Mai province, northeastern Udon Thani, and Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The state of emergency, which took effect immediately after it was announced, is imposed in a bid to ensure security for the general public.

CRES also announced ban on entrance to Petchaburi, Phayathai, Wireless, Rama IV, and Ratchaprarop area in central Bangkok.

These areas are located around the anti-government rally site Rathchaprasong Intersection in the center of capital Bangkok. Any violation will entail 2-year-jail term.

Also, cellphone signals around the Rathchaprasong area have been blocked until midnight.

Meanwhile, for safety the BTS skytrain has suspended its services for all stations, Thai News Agency reported.