泰国军队将“包围红衫抗议者”

The Thai military says security forces plan to surround a protest encampment in Bangkok with armoured vehicles.

泰国军方宣布，安全部队将采用装甲车辆包围曼谷一股红衫反抗者的营地。

The number of troops in Bangkok is said to have increased in recent days

A spokesman said that routes into the sprawling¹（蔓生的） encampment（营地，露营） would be closed at 1800 (1100 GMT). Protesters would be free to leave but not enter, he said.

The move comes a day after the government announced and then cancelled a plan to cut off water and power supplies to the protesters.

The group have been occupying key parts of the capital since 14 March.

They want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve（解散，溶解） parliament and call fresh elections.

He had offered polls on 14 November - but the two sides failed to agree a deal.

'Restore normalcy'

The military urged businesses around the protest camp to shut.

"The authorities will seal off the protest area at all routes at 6 p.m. today with armoured personnel vehicles. No one would be allowed in," a spokesman, Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, said.

The camp stretches from Bangkok's shopping hub south to the business district. Protesters have built large barricades²（路障，隔板） from tyres and bamboo.

The military's announcement comes as hopes of a political solution to the crisis fade.

Mr Abhisit told journalists that he had withdrawn³ his offer of early elections in November.

"I have cancelled the election date... because protesters refuse to disperse⁴（驱散，消散） ," he said. "I have told security officials to restore normalcy（常态） as soon as possible."

A few days ago a deal had appeared within reach. But protest leaders demanded that charges be laid again the deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban over the 10 April crackdown.

Mr Suthep oversaw⁵ the failed operation to clear protesters which left 19 protesters, one journalist and five soldiers dead.