Thai army to 'punish' protesters

BANGKOK - Thailand's military vowed on Sunday to "punish" anti-government protesters if they march on Bangkok's central business district, heightening fears of more violence after bloody clashes left 24 people dead a week ago.

Red-shirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra said on Saturday they may take their protest to the financial district, two blocks away from their main downtown protest base, on Tuesday, in defiance of an emergency decree. "We won't let them go anywhere further," army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

Sansern stopped short of using the word "crackdown" but said protesters occupying the plush shopping and hotel district for a 16th day would be dealt with.