BANGKOK, December 2. /ITAR-TASS /. 56 people suffered from tear gas during clashes between opposition and police in Thailand. Three of the protesters were hospitalized, according to Thai Public Healthcare Ministry.

Police in Bangkok managed to repel another attack of the opposition on the government’s headquarters using tear gas. As reported by Thai media, during the clashes one of the protesters injured his leg and was hospitalized. Earlier, law enforcement officers also used tear gas while they defended the building of the city police.

According to Public Healthcare Ministry, 71 people received various injuries on Saturday and Sunday during clashes between pro-opposition students and government’s backers in Bangkok. During these clashes, three people were killed, as reported by the ministry. Earlier, Thai authorities confirmed death of five people.

On Sunday, one of the protesters’ leaders Suthep Thaugsuban delivered an ultimatum to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra “to give power to the people within two days”. He also urged state officials to go on a mass strike and paralyze the government’s work. However, according to local media reports, the major part of ministries and governmental agencies are functioning in the ordinary course.

Prime Minister of Thailand in a televised address to the nation said she would not go on a leash of the opposition and will not resign or dissolve the National Assembly of the country. Shinawatra stressed that the government and all government agencies continued their work, despite the protesters’ actions. The Prime Minister also said that the armed forces of Thailand remain neutral.

Yingluck Shinawatra pledged to do all best to resolve the conflict by peaceful means and without applying force.

The protesters that started their rallies on Bangkok’s streets about a week ago oppose ties of the current authorities with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The rallies’ stagers believe the ex-Prime Minister continues to lead the country behind the scenes, despite the fact that he was forced into exile and lives abroad.