Bangkok under state of emergency

Thailand's Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, has declared a state of emergency in the capital, Bangkok, after clashes left one person dead.

Dozens more were injured in the protests early on Tuesday.

The demonstrations in the capital remained relatively peaceful over the weekend, but on Monday evening violent clashes broke out when hundreds of government supporters marched towards Government House, armed with sticks and clubs.

After pushing through a police line outside the compound, they fought with similarly armed PAD supporters. Gunfire was also reportedly fired in the melee.

TV pictures showed a man lying motionless on the ground with a pool of blood around his head as well as dozens of injured afterwards.

Dr Petchpong Kamjornkijjakarn of the Erawan Medical Centre said one person had died from severe head injuries and that four others were in a serious condition, two of whom had gunshot wounds.

At least 31 others are being treated for injuries across the city.

Mr Samak has now put the army commander General Anupong Paojinda in charge of enforcing the state of emergency in the capital.

Fighting broke out after supporters of Mr Samak pushed through police lines near Government House, occupied by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

PAD supporters say the government is a front for the exiled former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Earlier, they threatened to close more airports and urge unions to strike.

Three airports reopened on Sunday after being forced to close for two days by demonstrations, but rail services are still disrupted.

As the anti-government protests entered a seventh day on Monday, public sector unions said they would begin a nationwide strike at 43 state enterprises on Wednesday unless the prime minister stepped down.

The State Enterprise Workers Relations Confederation also threatened to cut off water, electricity and phone service at government offices and disrupt flights.

"The government has beaten protesters, and that justifies our retaliating by stopping water, telephone service and electricity to some government agencies," said Sawit Kaewwan, the federation's secretary-general.

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says there appear to be very few ways out of this crisis.