BANGKOK (AFP) - Hundreds of Thai opposition protesters tried on Saturday to force their way over barriers protecting Government House, police said, in a dramatic escalation of their bid to topple premier Yingluck Shinawatra after vowing a final push in their demonstrations.

"About 2,000 protesters of students network were trying to pressure the police" said National Police spokesman Piya Utayo, as demonstrators piled sandbags near barriers protecting the key symbol of government power in an effort to get across.