Thai government says Red Shirt protests defeated

However, a nightime curfew was extended in Bangkok and 23 other

provinces for three more days, while troops and die-hard anti-government protesters exchanged sporadic fire after a crackdown left at least 15 dead and 98 wounded.

A special police unit led more than a thousand people – many of them women and children – away from a Buddhist temple in the heart of the former "Red Shirt" protest zone. Six bodies were found on its grounds.

Many of the women feared they would be jailed or abused by police and cried or clung to each other as they were led out. Others remained defiant.

"We won. We won. The Red Shirts will rise again," shouted one woman.

Three more Red Shirt leaders surrenderedyesterday. Five gave themselves up the day before and were flown to a military camp south of Bangkok.

"I'd like to ask all sides to calm down and talk with each other in a peaceful manner," said Veera Musikapong after being taken into custody Thursday. "We cannot create democracy with anger."

An army spokesman said the situation in the capital was mostly under control.

But a branch of Siam City Bank was set on fire, the first reported arson attack after 39 buildings were torched the day before. Among the torched buildings were Thailand's stock exchange, main power company, banks, a cinema and one of Asia's largest shopping malls.

Since the Red Shirts began their protest in mid-March at least 83 people – mostly civilians – have been killed and nearly 1,800 wounded.

It was unclear what the next move would be for the protesters who wanted the removal of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government and new elections.