Thai security forces mass near protest sites

Large groups of soldiers and police in riot gear are massing near to two encampments of anti-government protesters in the Thai capital.

The moves Saturday seemed to indicate that authorities are close to cracking down on the so-called Red Shirt protesters, who have been carrying out disruptive protests in Bangkok for the past month.

The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve Parliament and call new elections.

The deployment came after protesters were pushed back by water cannons and rubber bullets from the headquarters of the 1st Army Region.