Thai "Red Shirt" protesters gather at a rally site in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on May 15, 2010. The intense political situation has continued in Bangkok on Saturday. The death toll from a series of clashes between troops and the anti-government protesters rose to 16 while another 157 were injured. [Xinhua/Thana Nuntavoranut]

The only way to reduce damages and losses is ending the anti- government protest which lasted for two months, Abhisit emphasized.

The government can not allow the Bangkok's residents to be held hostage further by the law offenders and illegal armed group, the prime minister said.

The army operations are aimed to prevent red-shirt reinforcement from joining their fellows at Rathchaprasong Intersection, a main rally site, Abhisit said.

Abhisit also asked the general public to understand any inconveniences which have been caused to them by the ongoing military operations to seal off the anti-government rally site.

Other measures include cutting off water, power, food, transportation and mobile phone signals around the rally site.