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BANGKOK: Thai police fired tear gas to try and disperse thousands of anti-government protesters massing outside parliament on Tuesday, injuring at least ten people, police and medical officials said.
Police fired off the rounds at about 6.20am (2320 GMT Monday) after rumours circulated that authorities would break up the fresh rally, state-run television channels reported.
A police official who did not want to be named told AFP that about 1,000 police officers used tear gas and smoke bombs against 2,000 protesters to try and retake control of a road in front of parliament.
Television stations showed images of demonstrators trying to barricade themselves around the outside of Bangkok's parliament building with piles of tyres, while ambulances rushed to the scene.
"More than ten protesters were injured from the police dispersing the protest, but as of now there are no deaths," Surachet Sathitniramai, a doctor from the national emergency centre, told AFP.
Thousands of supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) marched to parliament late Monday, using trucks to try and seal off the building ahead of an address by the new cabinet.
Thailand's new government - who were sworn in late last month - are due on Tuesday to deliver their first policy address to the house, but the protesters are demanding the elected administration step down.
Protesters have occupied Bangkok's main government compound since late August, but many moved to nearby parliament Monday evening after lawmakers agreed in principle to amend the constitution - a move that the PAD opposes.
PAD leaders are demanding that the elected government step down because of its links to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the crowds who remained at Government House late Monday that the march on parliament would be their "final battle", but Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat insisted the house session would go ahead.
"It is not right for the PAD to obstruct the representatives of the people," he said on Monday, adding that police would maintain law and order to ensure lawmakers could get to parliament.
The PAD began their campaign in late May claiming that the ruling People Power Party's plan to amend the constitution was aimed at helping Thaksin escape graft charges, and they stormed Government House on August 26.
Authorities over the weekend arrested of key PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang and protest organiser Chaiwat Sinsuwong, heightening tensions in the kingdom.
- AFP/yb
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