The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Bangkok

A grenade attack on anti-government protesters occupying the Thai prime minister's office wounded eight people early Saturday, officials said.

Police Lt. Col. Samreng Songsiang said he inspected the scene and the explosion was from an M-79 grenade, which are normally fired from launchers. The protesters have occupied the Government House compound since August.

They say they will not leave until Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resigns or is overthrown. The protest movement has been the focus of several small bomb and grenade attacks, including one last Thursday that killed one person and wounded more than 20.

Saturday's explosion occurred shortly after 2 a.m. outside the government house compound where guards appointed by the protesters man checkpoints.

No one took responsibility for the blast. Samreng said the grenade was fired from somewhere nearby but could not pinpoint the location or suggest who would have fired it.

One of the key protest leaders, Chamlong Srimuang, said the grenade was launched from the headquarters of the Bangkok Metropolitan police about 500 feet (150 meters) away.

"The grenade was fired from the (police) headquarters. This proves the attackers were government security forces or bad guys who are supported by the government," Chamlong said from the stage at the protest site where about 2,000 people had gathered.

The latest attack came one day before the protest group that calls itself the People's Alliance for Democracy plans a mass demonstration at government house.