Thousands of anti-government protesters refused to leave the commercial heart of Thailand’s capital today, occupying the area for a second day and defying threats of arrest, vowing to hang on until new elections are called.

More than 450 Thai Muslims stranded at Bangkok’s besieged airport for four days have been bussed to a military base to board a plane for the hajj pilgrimage.

At least 51 anti-government protesters were wounded in several explosions, raising fears of widening confrontations in a stand-off that has strangled Thailand’s economy and shut down its airports.