Streets battles in Bangkok raged for a fifth day on Monday. The latest round of violence has left 37 people dead and more than 200 injured.

Red-shirt protesters have defied warnings to leave central Bangkok as troops moved closer to their positions. But Thai officials said the army was not planning immediate action to disperse the thousands still occupying the capital's shopping district.

A glimmer of hope arose on Monday, after a protest leader contacted the Thai government to discuss ending the standoff.

The offer came during a telephone conversation between Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuwa, who called the government's chief negotiator, Korbsak Sabhavasu.