Police hurled tear-gas canisters at a crowd of anti-government protesters approaching Panichayakarn intersection on Sunday and turned the hoses on others at different rallying points as the push to drive out the Yingluck administration continued unabated.
Many tear-gas canisters were thrown by officers from behind barbed-wire barriers. Tear-gas was also fired at protesters at Chamai Maruchet Bridge as they were trying to march to Government House.
Police also used water cannons to drive back the protesters, who then threw rocks and other objects at them.
Officers initially asked the demonstrators not to break through the barriers but they ignored the request.
"We're all brothers and sisters," police shouted through a loudspeaker. "Please don't try to come in!"
Police use tear gas to drive back anti-government protesters on Sunday. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
A protester has been hit by tear gas on Sunday. (Photo by Pornprom Satrabhaya)
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, the secretary-general of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), told his supporters to "move quick" to prevent officers from getting prepared.
"Today is an important day. We'll go to anywhere that is important to the government and we'll paralyse it from tomorrow onwards because nobody will be able to work tomorrow," Mr Suthep said.
A Buddhist monk gives a blessing to protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
PDRC spokesman Samran Rodphet said a group of anti-government protesters took control of Thai PBS television station on Sunday morning.
Mr Samran said the protesters moved from the government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road to Thai PBS station on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. They were led by Sakolthee Pattiyakul, one of the PDRC core members.
The anti-government group told Thai PBS representatives to televise speeches made by PDRC co-leaders and programmes of the Democrat Party-owned Blue Sky satellite TV channel. Thai PBS was also told not to broadcast announcements made by the government and the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (Capo).
Mr Samran asked the anti-government demonstrators to help prevent police from arresting PDRC co-leaders at different rally sites.
"If officers approach us, hug them. If that's not enough, kiss them on the cheeks," the PDRC spokesman told the protesters.
Meanwhile, protesters were able to occupy the Public Relations Department and the Ministry of Interior on Sunday.
A group of protesters led by former Democrat MPs Withaya Kaewparadai and Panich Vikijsreth marched from the Finance Ministry to occupy the Public Relations Department on Soi Aree Samphan off Rama 6 Road in Phayathai district.
They managed to occupy the PRD's office without any obstruction.
A protester is throwing a piece of rock at police behind a concrete barrier on Sunday. (Photo by Pawat Laopaisarntaksin)
Another group of protesters were also able to lay seige to the Interior Ministry.
The demonstrators, led by State Enterprises Workers Relations Confederation secretary-general Komsan Thongsiri, removed barbed-wire barriers and occupied the ministry's ground without much difficulty.
At first, security officers refused to open the entrance gate to the ministry. The demonstrators then decided to break in and occupied the compound. The demonstrators were asked not to enter the office building of the ministry.
Anti-government demonstrators pass through Siam skytrain station on Sunday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)