Protesters Continue Churn Chaos in Bangkok

Swarms of Thai anti-government protesters have attacked the prime minister's car, seized control of major intersections in the capital Bangkok and commandeered buses, bringing new chaos to the Thai capital.

The government declared a state of emergency on Sunday but, with security forces standing by while protesters ran rampant, it was unclear how any bans could be enforced.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the prostesters were breaking laws of the country.

"I always insist that if the demonstrators ask for acceptable demands they can have them, and the government is ready to listen and respond. But the demonstrators have no right to break the rule of law, especially if that action affects other people's rights. So I ask you to stop this action. If you don't, the government has to use its power under the state of emergency."

The emergency decree bans gatherings of more than five people, forbids news reports considered threatening to public order and allows the government to call up military troops to quell unrest.

Meanwhile, in the streets in Bangkok, demonstrators danced atop two armoured personnel carriers they had forced to a stop.

Protesters had stormed the Interior Ministry and attacked another person, believed to be a government employee in another vehicle.

Police officials said up to 30,000 demonstrators were scattered around the city.

The army said soldiers and police were being moved to more than 50 key points in the city, including bus and railway stations.