Bangkok - Anti-government protestors in the Thai capital said Tuesday they were to defy the authorities by remaining dug in outside the seat of government at Bangkok in the face of an army crackdown. The capital was quiet as troops continued to consolidate their positions around the remaining 5,000 protestors loyal to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was overthrown in a September 2006 military coup.

"Brute military force is clearing the streets but we remain to air our legitimate grievances and to give people the hope of true democracy in the future," Jatuporn Phrompan, a protest leader, said.

Two people were killed Monday when angry local residents clashed with protestors near the main rally site at Government House, the first confirmed deaths as Bangkok braces for the expected army crackdown.

The city medical services said over 100 people, including soldiers, were injured yesterday as troops swept through barricades firing guns in the air and lobbing tear gas.

Many Thais appear stunned by the breakdown of law and order that threatened when the security forces appeared unable or unwilling to restrain the so-called Red Shirt protestors who at one point last week numbered perhaps 100,000 people.

On Saturday a group of Red Shirts deeply embarrassed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the military by invading a 16 nation Asia summit being hosted by Thailand at a nearby seaside resort, causing it to be cancelled.

Abhisit told reports Tuesday he would not negotiate with Thaksin, who has incited his supporters to "revolution" and "historical change" in Thai society in almost nightly addresses to the protestors via video link or phone.

The prime minister said he understands the sincere belief of many protestors that there is injustice in society, but said he had no time for bad people with ulterior motives. "We want peace. We want to violence to stop. And then we must work and talk to bring stability and happiness to the country," he said in brief remarks Tuesday morning.

Many of the protestors come from distant provinces in the north and north-east were Thaksin is particularly admired for his populist economic policies during his time in office from 2001 to 2006. Thaksin is, however, loathed and distrusted by much of the military, the urban elites and middle class.

The protestors want the government to resign to hold fresh elections which Thaksin, with his big rural support, might still win. Abhisit's Democrat party gained power four months ago after the military and bureaucracy disabled pro-Thaksin governments and a parliamentary faction defected from the Thaksin camp. (dpa)