Thai protesters defy orders to leave their Bangkok camp

Anti-government protesters in Bangkok have defied orders to leave their fortified camp in the Thai capital.

The protesters - many of them women - continued to clap and cheer speakers on stage in the centre of their vast camp as a deadline passed.

Soldiers have been shooting live rounds to keep protesters at a distance as one government minister said the operation to "seal the area" would continue.

Violence since Thursday has left 36 dead, and some 250 injured.

Renegade Thai general Khattiya Sawasdipol died on Monday, five days after being shot as he spoke to reporters about his backing for the protest movement.

The government says it will talk to the protesters as long as they show "sincerity" by leaving their camp.

The protest leaders, for their part, have offered UN-mediated talks on condition the government pulls back its troops.