Violent clashes hit Thailand's capital as police fire tear gas and water cannons at anti-government protesters

Thousands of anti-government protestors descended on Bangkok today



Hurled rocks and petrol bombs at riot police near Government House



Officers fired back rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons

Eighth day of demonstrations calling for overthrow of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra



Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban says he has met with Ms Yingluck

Claims he told her he expects 'nothing less' than her resignation



Thousands of anti-government protestors have descended on Thailand's capital - leading to violent clashes with police.

Demonstrators hurled rocks, bottles and petrol bombs at riot officers today as they attempted to storm government buildings in Bangkok.



They were met by volleys of rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons .

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Violent clashes: Thousands of anti-government protestors have descended on Thailand's capital, Bangkok

Attack: Demonstrators hurled rocks, bottles and petrol bombs at riot officers, while carrying flags

Force: Police put up barricades and fired back rubber bullets, volleys of tear gas and water cannons

Anger: A protestor prepares to throw a tear gas cannister back at riot police outside Government House

It is the eighth day of protests aiming to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.



Last night, three people were killed - and a further 103 injured - by gunfire in fierce skirmishes at a Bangkok stadium.



Today, more than 2,500 military personnel were deployed to tackle the clashes, which became so violent that Ms Yingluck was forced to flee to a nearby compound.

The protestors - wearing bandanas, gas masks and plastic bags on their heads - surrounded Government House, pulled at barbwire barricades and seized police vans.

Defence: Demonstrators use a self-made barricade to protect themselves against the water cannons Ongoing: It is the eighth day of protests aiming to overthrow the government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra Recovery: An anti-government protester cleans his eyes with salt water solution following the tear gas attack

Protection: Two demonstrators protect themselves from tear gas by wearing a plastic bag on their heads



They also besieged state television stations - demanding they broadcast the demonstrators' views and not the government's.

The violence has prompted Thailand's government to urge the capital's 10million residents to stay indoors overnight.



Some of Bangkok's biggest shopping malls have also been closed.



Today's clashes mark the first time police have used force since the protests began a week ago - a risky strategy that many fear could lead to more deaths.



Until this weekend, the demonstrations had been largely peaceful.

Break: Riot police take a break to clean their faces after launching a gas assault on the violent demonstrators

Injured: An injured protestor is helped by other demonstrators during the clashes, which have prompted Thailand's government to urge the capital's 10million residents to stay indoors overnight

Overcome: A woman suffers a coughing fit after inhaling some of the tear gas near Government House

Struggle: Other protestors hold cloths over their noses and mouths as they suffer the effects of the cannisters

However, last night's incident saw rival groups clash at a large pro-government rally in a stadium in northeast Bangkok - leaving three dead and dozens wounded.

Protestors are calling for the overthrow of Ms Yingluck, who they believe has abused her party's majority to push through laws that strengthen the behind-the-scenes power of her self-exiled brother and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The demonstrations have raised fears of fresh political turmoil and instability in Thailand, which is one of southeast Asia's biggest economies.



They have also posed the biggest threat to Ms Yingluck's administration since she came to power in 2011.

Ferocious: A man hurls a rock at riot police during the week-long demonstrations in Thailand's capital Dangerous: Opposition protesters use fire extinguishers during clashes with police outside Government House Hurt: A Thai Buddhist monk washes his eyes after riot police fired tear gas at protesters today Today, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban unexpectedly announced that he had met with Ms Yingluck - claiming he had told her he would accept nothing less than her resignation and a new government of an appointed council. In a defiant tone that drew cheers from his supporters, Mr Suthep said the meeting was held under the auspices of the military, which claims it is neutral in the conflict. He added that the talk had not constituted negotiations. Many anti-government protestors have dubbed today 'victory day' - despite failing to achieve their main goal of overthrowing Ms Yingluck's government.

Standing guard: Thai riot police line up at Government House during the violent demonstrations Preparing for battle: Police officers form a line behind barbed wires inside Bangkok's police headquarters, left, while riot police look out for protestors at the prime minister's headquarters, right



However, Mr Suthep told his followers it would take another two days for their end goal to be reached.

'If Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra listens to the people's voices, we will treat her like gentlemen because we all are good citizens,' he said.

Spokesmen for both the prime minister and the army have refused to comment on the alleged meeting.

However, government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi has said Ms Yingluck is not expected to make a public statement tonight - adding that the prime minister is currently residing in a 'safe place'.

Political instability has plagued Thailand since the military ousted Ms Yingluck's brother Thaksin in a 2006 coup.



Effect: A rainbow forms in water cannon spray as protestors attempt to remove police barricades in the capital

Painful: An anti-government demonstrator lies on the ground after riot police launch the tear gas attack

Two years later, anti-Thaksin demonstrators occupied Bangkok's two airports for a week after taking over the prime minister's office for three months.

And in 2010, pro-Thaksin protestors flocked to downtown Bangkok for a standoff that ended with parts of the city in flames and more than 90 dead.

Any further deterioration is likely to scare away investors, as well as tourists who come to Thailand by the millions and contribute 10 percent to the $602 billion economy.



Statement: An anti-government protester sits on sand bags in front of a police barricade in Bangkok today

Unexpected: Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, left, announced he has met Ms Yingluck, right. The prime minister was forced to flee to a police compound following the violent anti-government clashes



Army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha - who said last week the army would not take sides - has urged the police not to use force.

He has also called on protesters to avoid violence, according to an army spokesman.



Most of the protesters are middle-class Bangkok residents who have been part of the anti-Thaksin movement for several years.