Thai protesters call off march

Thai red shirt protesters have called off a march to Bangkok's business district, triggering a stock market rally. But they're threatening to stay in a shopping district "indefinitely".

Protesters say they've enlisted their own special forces to tighten security in the shopping district they've occupied for 18 days.

They say they will only hold a rally in the business area if soldiers leave. At least two luxury hotels in the shopping district have announced their closure for the rest of this week, for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, hundreds of troops have been deployed to the area. An army spokesman says troops will be tougher, and use their weapons if provoked.

Anti-government "red shirt" protesters dance and wave a Thai national flag as they gather behind a barricade built with bamboo poles and tyres at an intersection close to the Silom Road financial district in Bangkok April 21, 2010. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom