Thai anti-government protesters cancelled a march today on a military camp where the prime minister has hidden during their month-old campaign to oust him.

Thai soldiers sprayed automatic weapons fire into the air and threw tear gas to clear protesters blocking roads in the capital in the pre-dawn darkness today.

Thailand's military-backed government today pledged tighter security in the South of the country after bombings and shootings by suspected Muslim insurgents killed eight people and wounded almost 70.

Thailand had its worst lunar New Year holiday on record, with the death toll from traffic and other accidents during the festival rising to 628, the Public Health Ministry said Monday.