Bangkok is braced for violence as the Thai army prepares to tighten the noose on up to 10,000 political protesters who have occupied the city centre.
Security forces fired live rounds and tear gas yesterday as they used armoured cars to seal off the heavily defended encampment which the protesters set up last month. They have also shut down electricity supplies to the camp and the surrounding area.
The situation has become even more tense after Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, a suspended officer who took charge of the camp, was shot by an unknown gunman.
Protesters have blamed an army sniper and are preparing to fight to the death.
They are demanding the current parliament be dissolved and a new election held.
Both the British and the US embassies have been temporarily closed because of the violence and the Foreign Office continues to advise against all travel to specific parts of the country as well as all but essential travel to the rest of the country.
The advice was criticised last month by UK operators who claim the trouble is limited to very specific areas in the capital.