The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bangkok

One Thai protester was killed and 22 wounded Thursday in a blast at a Bangkok demonstration site, police said, raising fears of an upsurge in political violence after a recent lull.

The explosion hit before dawn at the prime minister's Government House offices, in the first deadly attack inside the compound since anti-government protest group the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) occupied it in August.

PAD leaders accused the government of being behind the attack and called for massive protests against the current administration, which they accuse of being corrupt and a proxy for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. "The PAD will no longer tolerate daily brutal crackdowns by the government and cannot accept any type of Thaksin regime," the group said in a statement.

"Therefore we have reached a consensus to call for a mass protest on Sunday November 23 at 2:00 pm to move to parliament to finally get rid of the proxy government and stop the tyrants."

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat immediately denied any involvement and vowed a swift police investigation into the incident.

"It is not government policy to use force or violence," Somchai told reporters. "No one wants bloodshed or killing among Thais."

Thailand has been gripped by escalating political turmoil since May when the PAD began their rallies, but there was a respite for the six-day funeral of Princess Galyani, late sister of deeply-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.