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Troops reclaim govt buildings in Bangkok

Thaksin Shinawatra - Ousted in 2006
Thaksin Shinawatra - Ousted in 2006

Anti-government protestors in Thailand have ended their occupation of government buildings in Bangkok after soldiers surrounded the demonstrators.

Troops have now restored order following the violent clashes that left two people dead and almost 100 injured.

The protestors have been calling for fresh elections and want former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, to be reinstated.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the former prime minister and at least 13 of his supporters following the protests.

The warrant reads: 'Thaksin and his allies were charged by the court for illegal assembly of more than 10 people, threatening acts of violence and breach of the peace, punishable with five years in jail.'

The demonstrators left their camp in front of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's office after protest leaders said they would disperse to avoid a crackdown by troops.

Hundreds of red-shirted supporters of Mr Shinawatra trickled out after the announcement, although some lingered at the site, dancing and clapping to music.

The announcement came after hundreds of soldiers backed by armoured vehicles tightened a cordon around an estimated 2,000 protesters left outside the seat of government.

Troops fired bursts of automatic gunfire and tear gas in running street battles with the protesters in the capital yesterday that left two people dead and 113 injured.

The Red Shirts first surrounded Government House on 26 March and have staged a sit-in outside the building ever since.

Thailand's national police chief later arrived at the site following requests from protest leaders for protection from vigilante groups who clashed with them last night.