Rioting prompts Thai prime minister to warn of state of emergency

THAI police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of several thousand anti-government protesters who were besieging city police headquarters.

The prime minister said he might declare a state of emergency if the rioting worsens.

Journalists witnessed police throwing dozens of canisters of gas at the crowd of at least 2,000 people. Protest leaders claimed they had come to demand the surrender of officers who allegedly beat demonstrators earlier in the day.