A Thai soldier patrols on a street 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]

Military top brasses on behalf of the Center for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) also addressed the nation to explain the army operations.

Troops, who are deployed to enforce the state of emergency, are armed with only M16 rifles and SK rifles, deputy chief of staff Lt- General Dapong Rattanasuwan said on a television program.

They have been permitted to use both live rounds and rubber bullets to target lower parts of the body or fire into the air when they are engaged in fights with violent protesters, the deputy chief of staff said.

Dapong has reaffirmed security personnel have no intention to kill the protesters as claimed by the red-shirts.