Thai soldiers spray gunfire and tear gas at protesters

Bangkok: Thai soldiers fired bullets into the air, fired water cannons and threw tear gas to disperse protesters blocking roads in the capital on Monday.

Demonstrators responded by hurling at least one gasoline bomb and 70 people were reported injured, most by tear gas.
As the violence escalated, the government moved to secure key infrastructure, including airports and ports.

Police said anti-government protesters were stationed in at least half a dozen points in Bangkok, including the prime minister's office.

Protesters retreated slightly after soldiers moved to the area around Victory Monument, a major traffic circle in Bangkok.

In another incident, the official Thai News Agency said three grenades landed inside the compound of the Constitutional Court. One exploded, causing minor damage.

Demonstrators used commandeered public buses to block several key intersections and they set tires on fire.

Monday's clash came a day after the country's ousted prime minister called for a revolution.

While the government has declared a state of emergency, protesters controlled many streets in the capital Bangkok.

They had earlier commandeered public buses and forced military vehicles to halt, in one case climbing on top of two armoured personnel carriers.

A mob of protesters smashed cars carrying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his aides on Sunday.

The secretary-general of Abhisit's office, Niphon Promphan, was dragged from the car and beaten, suffering head injuries and broken ribs.

The red-shirted demonstrators are supporters of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who want new elections and Abhisit's resignation.