Thousands blockade Thai PM's office

Thousands of protesters march towards Government House in Bangkok Monday. Tens of thousands of protesters surrounded Thaksin's office demanding his resignation as the premier threatened a state of emergency if the demo turned violent. PHOTO: AFP

Some 70,000 students, union workers, teachers and activists marched from the royal palace to the gates of the Government House compound about two km away, as the cabinet held its weekly meeting.

"We will be here until Thaksin quits. If police want roads to return to normal, tell the prime minister to resign," said one of the protest leaders, Thaksin's former political mentor Chamlong Srimuang.

Thaksin was not at Government House during the demonstration, but held the cabinet meeting by video conference from the northeastern town of Ubon Ratchathani where he was campaigning ahead of April 2 snap elections.

Thaksin had threatened to declare a state of emergency in Bangkok if the protest turned violent, but later in the day military leaders said they would not support such a move.

"That would only hurt the country's image, and the army does not agree with the idea of emergency rule," army commander General Sonthi Boonyaratglin told reporters.