BANGKOK - THAI protesters hijacked four city buses to block traffic during anti-government demonstrations at state buildings in Bangkok on Monday, police and transport officials said.

Virat Chokkatiwat, operations deputy director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), told AFP that PAD supporters had in the morning stolen four buses which they used to help blockade the buildings.

'The protesters came up on the buses with clubs and asked passengers and the conductor to get off,' he said. 'They left only the drivers before they took over the buses.'

One bus was re-taken when police managed to shoot a tyre, but the other three vehicles remain in the hands of the PAD, he added.

Police officer Captain Pompetch Chotiklang said six PAD supporters had been arrested in connection with the stolen bus, and police found guns, ammunition and slingshots on the arrested men.

'The suspects said they wanted to use the hijacked bus as a shield from any shooting at Government House,' Mr Pompetch said.

The drivers were allowed to leave after they had taken the buses to protest locations at parliament, police HQ and the offices of Chart Thai, which is the second biggest party in the coalition. They swiftly reported the bus thefts to police, Mr Virat said.

There was no immediate comment from the PAD.

The PAD said their multi-pronged rally Monday was the final battle in their campaign to topple the government, but after a parliament session was cancelled most of the demonstrators returned to their main protest site.

They have been camped out at Government House - the prime minister's cabinet offices - since they seized the compound in late August. -- AFP

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