Deadly clashes as police besiege Bangkok protesters

Breaking News out of Bangkok, Thailand. Reports indicate that military authorities  are using live ammunition against protesters near the airport. This follows yesterday's shooting of a military officer sympathetic to protesters.

The BBC's Alastair Leithead: "There was a series of explosions"

Thai forces in Bangkok have fired live rounds after surrounding a fortified protesters' camp amid clashes that left at least eight people dead.

Embassies were closed as protesters set fire to a police bus and shot fireworks at troops, who also responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

A BBC correspondent says the area is like a war zone with troops firing into a park as a helicopter circled above.