While telling the Thai people to remain calm as his government has the capability to control the situation, he also told the people to inform authorities about any unlawful acts by the red-shirted anti-government protesters.

Thai supporters of exiled ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra surround the compound of the interior ministry in Bangkok, on April 13, 2009. At least 68 wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters clashed in Bangkok early Monday morning, 14 hours after Thai PM declared a state of emergency in the capital city, authorities said.[Xinhua]

In the early hours of Monday, the Thai prime minister made another television speech, urging protesters camped at the Government House to end their "unconstitutional" rallies immediately and send representatives to talk with his government.

The government's tough measures were taken a day after the anti- government demonstrators, or known as red-shirted people, obstructed the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Related Summits.

The summits, which involved 10 ASEAN countries and its six dialogue partner nations -- China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand -- was scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in the central beach resort city Pattaya. But the Thai government was forced to call off the meeting after over 1,000 red-shirted protesters besieged and broke into the meeting venue Saturday, demanding the Abhisit government resign.

Political tensions have simmered since Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 for alleged corruption and abuse of power. He remains popular in Thailand's impoverished countryside.

Thai soldiers block a road near Government house in Bangkok, on April 13, 2009. Troops fired tear gas early Monday during an operation to disperse a group of several hundred protesters in Bangkok under a state of emergency, an army spokesman said.[Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)