Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is prepared to hold talks with the protesters who are calling for his resignation. During a television appearance he said, "as long as the protesters don't break the law, I am not opposed to negotiations.” He did not say whether he was prepared to make concessions.

The Red Shirts, supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have held anti-government protests every day this week, including “blood for democracy" actions in which they daubed buildings with their own blood. They claim Mr Abhisit came to power illegally last year in wake of the crises following the military coup which ousted Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. They are demanding his resignation and new elections.

The prime minister has repeatedly rejected these demands.

More than 100,000 people took part in Sunday's demonstration, but the numbers have shrunk each day since then. The leaders of the Red Shirts, a largely grass roots rural movement, are now appealing to the middle class in Bangkok and the provinces to support their struggle.