Blood on Bangkok streets as protesters dig in after 20 die

Bullet casings, rocks and pools of blood littered the streets near a main tourist area where soldiers had tried to clear the protesters, who are demanding that the prime minister dissolve parliament and call early elections.

Foreign governments issued warnings for citizens visiting Thailand, where tourism is a vital industry.

Yesterday, protesters showed off a pile of weapons they had captured from the troops, including rifles and machine gun rounds. The demonstrators also captured several Thai soldiers who were later released.

Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the Red Shirt movement that contends the current government is illegitimate because it does not reflect results of the last elections, said premier Abhisit Vejjajiva's hands were "bloodied".

"There is no more negotiation. Red Shirts will never negotiate with murderers," Mr Jatuporn announced from a makeshift stage.

Government forces moved on Saturday night into a protester-occupied area around Bangkok's Democracy Monument, near the backpacker mecca of Khao San Road. The push set off street fighting in which two protesters and a Buddhist monk with them were badly beaten by soldiers.

A Japanese tourist who was wearing a red shirt was also clubbed by soldiers until bystanders rescued him.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd accused protesters of firing live rounds and throwing grenades. An APTN cameraman saw two Red Shirt security guards carrying assault rifles.

Four soldiers and 16 civilians were killed, according to the government. The protesters said 14 of their number had been killed.

At least 834 people were injured. The dead included Japanese cameraman Hiro Muramoto.