Anti-government protesters in Thailand leave camp

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Supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra leave the Government House area as soldiers watch in Bangkok April 14, 2009.REUTERS/Kerek Wongsa

Earlier, an army spokesman said the protesters are under control.

Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Thai Army Spokesman, said, "The operations team would like to say that now we can control the demonstration."

In a last surge of resistance, protesters set buses on fire, sending huge billows of smoke rising over Bangkok's skyline.

By nightfall on Monday, clashes that had gripped several parts of the city had ebbed.

Political tensions have simmered since Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power.

He has strong support in the countryside because of his populist policies.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei