Supporters of Thailand's exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans during a rally at in Bangkok. (AFP: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)
Security forces in Thailand are facing off against two separate protest groups - one at the Cambodian border, the other in the capital Bangkok.
There have been reports of clashes between local villagers and protesters from the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy (PAD) near the site of a decades-old land dispute near the Preah Vihear temple at Thailand's north-eastern border.
At least 4,000 protesters from the same group which shut down Bangkok airports last year have gathered near the temple.
Television channels showed the yellow-clad protesters - the Yellow Shirts - armed with sticks trying to beat local villagers and Thai riot police, who pushed back with shields.
Several dozen villagers were injured, the military said, without giving an exact figure. One villager was shot in the neck and 20 people were hospitalised, Kantharalak district hospital said.
About 2,000 Thai police are backing up the military near the temple to stop the protesters getting through to the disputed land, which is littered with land mines.
Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said security forces were trying to persuade the protesters to back down, amid fears that their actions could spark further conflict with Cambodia.
"I am asking the police and soldiers to negotiate with the PAD," he told reporters in Bangkok.
This is the second time they have caused trouble at the Thai-Cambodian border. Similar protests a year ago set off tensions between the two countries.
While the PAD supported the new Thai government when it came to power last year, it accuses Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of ceding territory at the temple site.
Bangkok protest
Meanwhile in Bangkok, red-shirted protesters - the Red Shirts - are demanding new elections be held.
They are marking the absence of their leader, the convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup three years ago.
About 5,000 security officers are alert on the city streets to ensure there is no trouble with protesters, who were also involved in street rioting in April.
"We came here today to mark the third anniversary of the coup, which has caused huge damage to the country," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan told the crowd, as a thunderstorm drenched the protest site.
"This will be a peaceful protest and will end by midnight if the government does not use violence."
Thaksin was due to address the crowd later by video-link and organisers said the crowd would then move to the house of Prem Tinsulanonda, the top advisor to Thailand's king.
The Red Shirts accuse Prem of masterminding the coup.
Abhisit said there were reports that unidentified groups of troublemakers could set off bombs in the capital to create unrest.
"I am worried about the situation tonight and have warned intelligence agencies," he said.
Several dozen villagers were injured, the military said, without giving an exact figure. One villager was shot in the neck and 20 people were hospitalised, Kantharalak district hospital said.
About 2,000 Thai police are backing up the military near the temple to stop the protesters getting through to the disputed land, which is littered with land mines.
Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said security forces were trying to persuade the protesters to back down, amid fears that their actions could spark further conflict with Cambodia.
"I am asking the police and soldiers to negotiate with the PAD," he told reporters in Bangkok.
This is the second time they have caused trouble at the Thai-Cambodian border. Similar protests a year ago set off tensions between the two countries.
While the PAD supported the new Thai government when it came to power last year, it accuses Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of ceding territory at the temple site.
Bangkok protest
Meanwhile in Bangkok, red-shirted protesters - the Red Shirts - are demanding new elections be held.
They are marking the absence of their leader, the convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup three years ago.
About 5,000 security officers are alert on the city streets to ensure there is no trouble with protesters, who were also involved in street rioting in April.
"We came here today to mark the third anniversary of the coup, which has caused huge damage to the country," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan told the crowd, as a thunderstorm drenched the protest site.
"This will be a peaceful protest and will end by midnight if the government does not use violence."
Thaksin was due to address the crowd later by video-link and organisers said the crowd would then move to the house of Prem Tinsulanonda, the top advisor to Thailand's king.
The Red Shirts accuse Prem of masterminding the coup.
Abhisit said there were reports that unidentified groups of troublemakers could set off bombs in the capital to create unrest.
"I am worried about the situation tonight and have warned intelligence agencies," he said.
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