Blast wounds 36 anti-government protesters in Bangkok

Anti-government protesters march during a rally in central Bangkok Jan 17, 2014. A bomb went off as anti-government protesters marched in central Bangkok, spurring fears about rising political tension.[Photo/Agencies]

TAKING BACK CONTROL?

Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul earlier said it was "about time" to take back control of Bangkok and that a delegation of officials, escorted by police and troops, would make a start by going to a government office that issues passports to try to persuade the protesters to let work resume.

"If successful, this can be an example for other ministries to follow," Surapong told a news conference.

Asked if the government was now moving to end the blockade of ministries and key intersections, he said: "Soon. It's about time. We have to start to do something."

In the event, the delegation never made it.

"We talked to the protest leaders on the phone and our security adviser, given the explosion earlier, advised us not to go," said Sek Wannamethee, a Foreign Ministry spokesman.

Earlier, hundreds of people on motorbikes and in other vehicles drove up to the government area where the passport office is located and a confrontation ensued with the protesters, National Security Council Secretary-General Paradorn Pattanatabut told Reuters.

"They said they were angry at the anti-government crowd who blocked traffic there and stopped them from getting access to government services, especially the passport office," he said.

The turmoil is the latest episode in an eight-year conflict pitting Bangkok's middle class and royalist establishment against poorer, mainly rural supporters of Yingluck and Thaksin.

That support has enabled him or his allies to win all elections since 2001 and Yingluck's Puea Thai Party seems certain to win the upcoming vote.

The government says it must be held on February 2 as parliament has been dissolved and the date endorsed by the king.

Reuters reporters said at least 2,000 protesters in pickup trucks and vans headed towards a printing works north of the central Bangkok, saying it was producing ballot papers and claiming it would be printing far more than were needed.

Speakers at protest sites across central Bangkok have suggested that Yingluck is worn out and eager to quit, but at a news conference on Friday, the prime minister maintained she still enjoyed overwhelming popular support.

As the deadlock between the government and protesters drags on, many Thais believe the military could step in to break the impasse, especially if the protests turn more violent.

The army has staged or attempted 18 coups in 81 years of on-off democracy but has tried to remain neutral this time.

The security forces have largely kept out of sight since the blockades began this week, with the government reiterating on Friday it was keen to avoid any confrontation.