Thai protesters call for revenge for violence

Anti-government protesters have vowed to avenge those killed and injured in clashes this week with the police.

Soldiers helped maintain an uneasy calm Thursday in Bangkok, two days after two people died and more than 400 were injured when police attempted to break up protests that degenerated into Thailand's worst political violence in more than a decade.

While each side accused the other of using excess force, many pointed to the grievous wounds suffered by several demonstrators, including four who lost parts of their legs, as evidence that the police used heavy weapons. Police said they only used tear gas, and said they believed some demonstrators were hurt by explosives they themselves were carrying.

Protesters rallied in their stronghold at the compound of the prime minister's office, which they have occupied since Aug. 26.

"We will not negotiate with a man who has blood on his hands," said key protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul to loud applause. "I ask our brothers and sisters to be strong and turn your sorrow into anger so we can have our revenge!"

The protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy say Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is a pawn of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in 2006 by military leaders who accused him of corruption. He now lives in exile. Somchai is his brother-in-law.

The alliance wants sweeping changes to Thailand's electoral system to prevent what they call corrupt politicians from exploiting the rural majority to take power.

Though police insisted they used only tear gas in Tuesday's clashes, Associated Press reporters said stun grenades were also employed.

Protesters claimed their gathering early Tuesday aimed at blockading Parliament was peaceful, but many had brandished iron rods, slingshots, firecrackers and bottles to attack police. An AP Television News reporter saw at least three carrying guns, and witnessed two of them firing at police. Three police officers were shot and one was stabbed with a flagpole.

Almost a dozen doctors at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn Hospital said they would refuse to treat policemen because of their actions Tuesday, and urged colleagues to join them. But the hospital's director said all patients would be treated.

A pilot on a domestic flight of Thai Airways International, the national carrier, refused to allow lawmakers from Somchai's ruling People's Power Party onto his flight.

The airline later suspended the pilot from duty, The Nation newspaper reported on its Web site.

The People's Alliance for Democracy claims Thailand's rural majority _ who gave strong election victories to Thaksin and his allies _ is susceptible to vote buying and too poorly educated to responsibly choose their representatives.

The group wants the country to abandon one-man, one-vote democracy and instead adopt a mixed system in which some representatives are chosen by certain professions and social groups. They have not explained how exactly such a system would work or what would make it less susceptible to manipulation.