ATTACKERS set off explosions at anti-government protest sites yesterday, wounding 51 people and raising fears of widening confrontations in Thailand’s worst political crisis that has strangled its economy and shut down its main airports.

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.

Bangkok's Mayor Apirak Kosayothin ordered the cancellation of the two major public New Year's Eve countdown celebrations and other smaller ones following six or more bomb blasts in the city today.