Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Thai Army Warns of Tough Action, Protesters Cancel March VOA News 20 April 2010 Red Shirt protesters listen to a speaker at the Ratchaprasong intersection during an ongoing rally in central Bangkok Photo: AFP Red Shirt protesters listen to a speaker at the Ratchaprasong intersection during an ongoing rally in central Bangkok, 20 Apr 2010 Thailand's army is warning it may use tear gas and deadly weapons to deal with anti-government protesters who have been tying up central Bangkok since April 3. Army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told reporters Tuesday that if protesters try to break through troops separating them from Bangkok's financial center, they would be met with tear gas. And the spokesman added that if the protesters do break through, weapons would be used to deal with them "decisively." Nattawut Saikua, a protest leader, told a news conference Tuesday that a planned march to Silom road in Bangkok's financial sector had been canceled because of the troop presence. The government has declared the Silom Road district off-limits to the Red Shirt protesters who have occupied a nearby shopping area in their bid to oust Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and force new elections.  The [1]Red Shirts, supporters of exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, began camping out in the capital on March 12. They are demanding new elections, saying Prime Minister Vejjajiva was installed illegally. At least 24 people have died since April 10 in clashes between soldiers and protesters. On Sunday, a spokesman for the pro-government Yellow Shirts added to the tense situation by saying the group will take action unless the government ends the Red Shirts' protest within seven days.  In 2008, the Yellow Shirts held a week-long blockade of Bangkok's two main airports to protest the Thaksin government. The Yellow Shirts accuse Mr. Thaksin of corruption and disrespecting Thailand's widely beloved monarchy. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. References 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_United_Front_of_Democracy_Against_Dictatorship .