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Clashes breakout between Thai police and protestors

29/08/2008

Clashes have broken out between the police and protestors in the Thai capital, Bangkok.

Hundreds of riot police confronted the anti-government demonstrators on Friday but failed to successfully disperse the huge crowd.

Reports suggest that tear gas was fired into the crowd and at least 15 protestors were arrested after they formed a human chain calling for the resignation of the government.

The protestors have been positioned in the grounds of prime minister Samak Sundaravej's office since Tuesday.

Up to 17,000 activists from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) took to the streets in the culmination of months of protests against the government.

The protest group claim Mr Samak is allowing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to rule the country in exile.

In their largest show of strength so far, the anti-government group forced the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) off air on Tuesday before storming the government's finance, agriculture and transport ministries.

Mr Samak, however, has insisted he will remain in office, stating earlier this week: "I will not resign, I will stay to protect this country."