Emergency declared in Bangkok

Police General Vichai Sangparpai said up to 30,000 demonstrators were scattered around the city. Police vans at some intersections were abandoned and looted.

Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,regarded by most of the protesters as their leader,called for a revolution and said he might return from exile to lead it. Now that they have tanks on the streets,it is time for the people to come out in revolution. And when it is necessary,I will come back to the country, he said in a telephoned message to followers who surrounded the primes minister office.

Political tensions have simmered since Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 for alleged corruption and abuse of power. He remains popular for his populist policies in the impoverished countryside.

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.

Abhisits government suffered a major humiliation on Saturday when it failed to stop hundreds of demonstrators from storming the venue of a 16-nation Asian summit,forcing its cancellation and the evacuation of the leaders by helicopter.

Outside the Interior Ministry,a furious mob attacked Abhisits car with poles,a ladder and even flower pots as it slowly made its escape. The prime ministers secretary and his driver were badly injured in the attack. Police in riot gear nearby did nothing.