BANGKOK--Thai authorities will shut roads surrounding thousands of anti-government protesters on Thursday evening, sparking calls by demonstrators for reinforcements as tensions rise in the deadliest political crisis in 18 years. The army will also bring in armored vehicles to bolster checkpoints, stopping any protesters from entering the area, and urged businesses on roads leading into the protesters' 3 sq-km (1.2 sq-mile) fortified encampment to close on Friday. "In an operation to step up pressure and limit the protest area, we will bring in armored vehicles to help protect officers from those militants among protesters," army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told reporters. The Thai baht fell sharply immediately after the army's announcement, though witnesses saw no unusual activity around the sprawling red shirt encampment. "Every bank is trying to get out the baht now and we have not seen any central bank intervention to slow its fall," a Bangkok-based trader said. A second dealer said some of his clients closed business early on Thursday. "The sign is strong today," he said, referring to a possible army crackdown.
