11 Apr 2010

Thai security forces retake TV station

6:35 am on 11 April 2010

Thai security forces have retaken a satellite television transmission station that was overrun by anti-government protesters.

The authorities have again stopped the broadcasts of PTV, a television channel controlled by the country's political opposition, saying it has been inciting violence.

Security forces also used water cannons to repel an attempt by protesters to force their way into an army base in Bangkok, where a state of emergency was declared earlier this week.

The "Red Shirt" protesters, many of whom are sympathisers of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign and call elections, saying his government is illegitimate.

They began their latest campaign on 12 March, establishing two camps in Bangkok - one at Government House and another in the commercial district, the BBC reports.

Thailand has lurched from one crisis to another since 2006 when Mr Shinawatra's government was overthrown. This is the fourth state of emergency in the capital since 2008.