declared a state of emergency April 7 , hours after anti-government demonstrators -LRB- known as `` Red Shirts '' for the clothes they wear -RRB- stormed the country 's parliament . Three days later , the deadliest clash in more than a decade between protesters -LRB- in this case the Red Shirts -RRB- and the military erupted , leading to the deaths of more than two dozen demonstrators and military forces . Violence erupted again last week when protesters once again ignored an ultimatum to end their occupation in downtown Bangkok by Wednesday . Seh Daeng 's subsequent shooting by an unknown assailant raised tensions further and at least 35 people have been killed and 240 wounded in the latest wave of unrest . The government has imposed a state of emergency in 22 provinces and metropolitan Bangkok . What happens next ? Authorities have urged protesters to evacuate the protest area by Monday afternoon or face up to two years in prison for violating the order . But around 5,000 protesters remained on the streets in defiance of the authorities . On Sunday protest leaders offered to resume talks with the government in U.N.-mediated negotiations if security forces were
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Days of violent unrest in the Thai capital have left dozens dead and hundreds injured as security forces clash with anti-government protesters . The latest victims include a key opposition leader , Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol -- a renegade general better known as Seh Daeng -- who died days after being critically wounded by a sniper 's bullet . But the current crisis follows a months-long standoff between Thai authorities and protesters opposed to the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva . The protesters -- known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship -LRB- UDD -RRB- -- support Thaksin Shinawatra , who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006 , before he was ousted in a bloodless coup . What is happening now ? The latest violence follows a government pledge to hold an election in November in an attempt to halt the protests . However , amid ongoing anger over a crackdown by security forces last month and a refusal by the protesters to comply with a deadline to vacate the district of Bangkok they have been occupying for weeks , authorities say the election date is now under threat . Prime Minister Abhisit