An uneasy peace returned to Bangkok on Thursday following some of the worst rioting in recent days. Thousands of anti-government protesters also known as the Red Shirts have left their rally site in central Bangkok.

The authorities say they have restored order. But a night-time curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces has been extended until Sunday morning. "The Thai government is committed to implementing further security measures in the days to come to make sure citizens of Bangkok and foreigners are protected," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Calls for calm

The army crackdown began early on Wednesday morning. Backed by armored vehicles, the troops stormed the rally site, which the Red Shirts had occupied since April 3. At least 14 people died in the clashes and nearly 100 were injured. Six of the bodies were found in a Buddhist temple, where about 1,500 protesters took refuge during the military operation. Those remaining inside were led out by the police on Thursday.

Following the crackdown, Red Shirt leaders surrendered and urged their supports to remain calm. They also called on them to go home. "Democracy cannot be built on revenge and anger," Veera Musikapong, one of the Red Shirt leaders, said in a televised statement while in custody.

Situation volatile

But some of the die-hard protesters have refused to end their protests. On Wednesday some of them ran amok, torching dozens of buildings, including many banks, the stock exchange, a shopping centre and a state run TV channel. The rioting spread to north and northeast provinces

Troops are searching for those who could still offer resistance. Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said about 13,000 people were "actively waiting to riot and perpetrate illegal acts" in provinces.

Thailand has remained a deeply divided country ever since former Premier Thaksin Shinwatra was ousted in a coup in 2006. His supporters, the Red Shirts, who are mostly rural and urban poor, have been seeking fresh elections, saying the present government is not legitimate.

They argue that Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva's government lacks a popular mandate as it came to power in a parliamentary vote in 2008 with the support of the army. PM Abhisit offered to hold polls in November earlier this month. But when the protestors' refused to end the rally, he withdrew the offer and the army went in.

du/AP/AFP/ Reuters/dpa
Editor: Grahame Lucas