Protestors refuse to end Bangkok demonstration

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.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva appealed on national television for the protesters to return to the area where they have been encamped in recent weeks, saying this morning that the government and protest leaders were close to reaching a compromise. But at the rally site in Bangkok, the protesters tore up police leaflets and showed no signs of leaving.