New clashes broke out on December 2 in Bangkok between Thai security forces and demonstrators, as leaders of the anti-government protestors issued an ultimatum for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds of protesters outside government headquarters. Schools in Bangkok as well as UN agencies in the city were closed for safety reasons. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said on late December 1 that he had met PM Yingluck in the presence of the military, which has affirmed its neutrality in the conflict. He stressed the talks were not for negotiations but simply a means to issue his demand for the government to hand power "to the people". Police said an estimated 70,000 people joined the opposition demonstration on December 1. Clashes claimed the lives of at least four people and injured 100 others over the weekend. VNA