Violence as protesters and government troops clash in Thailand

A supporter of exiled ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra holding a national flag walks past a burning bus during clashes with soldiers near Government House in Bangkok Photograph: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty Images

Residents throw rocks at supporters of the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

A Thai soldier chases an anti-government protester with a baton during a protest on the street in Bangkok Photograph: Wason Wanichakorn/AP

A supporter of exiled ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra uses a sling shot in front of Thai soldiers Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

Thai soldiers detain an anti-government protestor Photograph: Vincent Yu/AP

Thai women supporters of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra kneel in front of Thai army soldiers and hold roses to give to the soldiers Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

Anti-government demonstrators cheer after taking over a Thai army armoured personnel carrier in Bangkok Photograph: David Longstreath/AP

Supporters of the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra attack the car of Niphon Promphan, secretary of the current prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

Hospital officials carry one of the prime minister's security officials Photograph: Narong Sangnak/EPA

Supporters protest in front of Government House in Bangkok Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

Protesters face the army at Ding Daeng intersection in the early morning Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

A protestor walks past burning tyres near the Victory monument Photograph: Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images

Medical workers transport an injured demonstrator Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters

Anti-government protesters set up a roadblock and burn tyres Photograph: Wason Wanichakorn/AP

A demonstrator holds a weapon Photograph: Vivek Prakash/Reuters

Soldiers hurl insults at anti-government demonstrators Photograph: David Longstreath/AP

Soldiers secure an area after charging and firing shots into the air to disperse protesters at Ding Daeng intersection Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

Troops at Ding Daeng intersection, the focal point of the unrest in Bangkok Photograph: Nicolas Asfouri/AFP/Getty Images

Thai soldiers use a water canon to douse flames coming from a bus Photograph: Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Images