Thailand police battle protestors

Police fought back for the first time on Sunday against protesters trying to overthrow Thailand’s government, firing tear gas and rubber bullets in running battles against rock-throwing mobs who tried to force their way into the prime minister’s sand-bagged office complex.

The violence marks the sharpest escalation yet of the conflict between opponents and supporters of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and raises fears of prolonged instability in one of Asia’s biggest economies.