A Red Sea of demonstrators has engulfed Bangkok.

Tens of thousands have converged on the Thai capital, threatening mass street protests if the government doesn’t respond to their demand for a dissolution of Parliament within 24 hours.

They want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call fresh elections, believing that would allow their political leaders to regain power.

They have vowed to march on key sites in the city if the government fails to respond to their demand by noon on Monday.

The protestors have stressed they will only use peaceful means to achieve their aims and there have been no reports of violence.

But the authorities are taking no chances – 50, 000 soldiers and police have been mobilised.

The demonstrators support the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and oppose the coup that toppled him.

Thailand has been in constant political turmoil since early 2006, following demonstrations accusing Shinawatra of corruption and abuse of power.

He currently lives in exile.

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