Thai protesters clash briefly with riot police

Bangkok: Thai demonstrators occupying the prime minister's office clashed briefly with riot police on Wednesday, but vowed to stay on till the government resigns.

About 500 riot police stormed the compound overnight in a bid to clear the demonstrators, who have occupied the outskirts of the Government House offices since Tuesday afternoon.

Police later withdrew from the confrontation.

The protesters accuse Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of corruption and liaising with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and faces several pending corruption cases.

“If we leave before this government resigns, that means we are defeated,'' Chamlong Srimuang, one of the protest leaders, told the crowd inside the compound.

Police Lt. Gen. Suraphol Thuanthong said the government would seek arrest warrants for the People's Alliance for Democracy protest leaders, but did not specify the charges.

Police will also seek a court order to force the protesters to leave the compound.