Buildings smouldered across central Bangkok early today and troops exchanged sporadic fire with pockets of die-hards a day after the army routed anti-government protesters in a push to end Thailand’s deadliest political violence in nearly 20 years.

THAI security forces fired live rounds and rubber bullets at protesters during a clash just outside Bangkok yesterday as the Red Shirts tested the government’s vow to contain their disruptive rallies.

Leaders of demonstrations that plunged Thailand’s capital into chaos said today they were calling off their protests after combat troops ringed their last stronghold.

Thailand’s coup leader has asked the government to impose a state of emergency in Bangkok to prevent supporters of deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra from staging mass rallies.