Authorities in Thailand have vowed to get tough with anti-government Red Shirts paralysing central Bangkok, where protesters bracing for a crackdown reinforced their barricades and caused travel chaos.
The Red Shirts have said they will turn up the heat on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, sending out protesters on Wednesday to try to persuade more people to join their rally in the capital, which is under a state of emergency.
The city's Skytrain service was halted for several hours after Reds laid tyres on the rails at a station above the protest site to stop troops using it for a surprise attack, forcing many commuters to walk to work.
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Services resumed after the protesters - who have been staging weeks of rolling rallies to campaign for snap elections - agreed to remove the tyres.
Government to crackdown harder
The government said it would not tolerate moves by the opposition protesters to set up road checkpoints to prevent police and soldiers heading to the capital to reinforce security forces there.
"The government has intensified measures against protesters because they have created a situation of unrest by setting up checkpoints which violate other people's rights," Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters.
"We cannot talk to these people any longer," warning that any protesters found setting up checkpoints would be immediately arrested.
Protesters on high alert
A day after Thailand's revered king spoke of the need for peace in his first public remarks since the crisis began, protesters remained on high alert for a crackdown by security forces.
Street clashes earlier this month and grenade attacks last week in the heart of Bangkok have left 26 people dead and hundreds more wounded in the worst political unrest for almost two decades.
Roadblocks set up
The Red Shirts have reinforced their roadblocks and stepped up security checks on the perimeter of their sprawling protest site, which has been fortified with barricades made from piles of truck tyres and bamboo stakes.
"Each passing day will make us stronger. At least we can hold government forces at bay for another day," said a Reds leader, Jatuporn Prompan.
The Reds said they would set up a "rapid movement unit" to talk to people and invite them to join their protest, vowing to break all checkpoints without using violence.
King Adulyadej addresses nation
The king spoke on national television on Monday for the first time since anti-government protests broke out in mid-March, addressing a group of newly appointed judges, but he did not directly mention the political crisis.
"Do your job with honesty. In this country there may be some people who forget their duty. You should be an example by working honestly and properly, your job is very important," King Bhumibol Adulyadej said.
"It will help the country to live in peace and contentment," the 82-year-old told the judges at the Bangkok hospital where he has been since September.
Thailand's opposition has asked for an audience with the king, who has intervened in previous bouts of civil unrest.
The government has said it has uncovered a network of people suspected of plotting to overthrow the monarchy and will issue summons, and later arrest warrants, for members of the group. The Reds denied any involvement.
The government will not allow these people to insult the monarchy," Suthep said. "If necessary we will bar all of them from leaving Thailand."
Abhisit, regarded as elitist and undemocratic by his opponents, has rejected an offer by the Reds to disperse if elections are held in three months' time.
The Reds are mostly supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and now lives overseas to avoid a jail term for corruption.
Thaksin, who was in Montenegro at the weekend, said he has been in contact with the opposition protesters in Thailand.
"We just fight for democracy," he told reporters in the Adriatic republic.
