Thousands of supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra have taken to the streets of the capital Bangkok on the third anniversary of the military coup that toppled him.

Supporters and opponents of the former prime minister have staged large demonstrations on various occasions over the past three years. Mr Thaksin's supporters appealed to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down and call early elections. The demonstrators were accompanied by a large police and security force.

Police used force to break up another rally, held by the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, which attempted to cross the Cambodian border. Dozens of people were injured. The demonstrators were demanding that Cambodia withdraw its troops from the Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries. An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but many Thais dispute the decision.

Photo ANP/EPA