Thailand's pro-establishment 'Yellow Shirts' have called for the imposition of martial law to end mass anti-government protests by the rival 'Red Shirts', warning they may take action themselves.
The Reds are on alert for a crackdown by the security forces on their fortified camp in the heart of Bangkok, where tensions remain high after a grenade attack late yesterday.
26 people have died and almost 1,000 have been injured in the capital this month in Thailand's bloodiest civil violence in almost two decades, despite a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
The Yellows, formally known as the People's Alliance for Democracy, have said they will take action to 'protect the country' if authorities do not deal with the thousands of anti-government 'Red Shirt' protestors.
A one-week deadline set by the Yellows for an end to the crippling protests expired with no end in sight and the movement called on its supporters to begin their own peaceful demonstrations.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected an offer by the Reds, who mostly support former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to disperse if elections are held in three months' time - softening earlier demands for snap polls.
Appearing on national television yesterday alongside his army chief, Prime Minister Abhisit vowed to retake the sprawling protest site that has paralysed Bangkok's main retail district, but gave no indication of when a crackdown might come.
