Thailand Coming Apart?

Protestors stormed Parliament and forced lawmakers to flee, as the Red Shirts protests is dragging into weeks.

Emboldened anti-government protesters briefly stormed Thailand's Parliament building Wednesday, as lawmakers scaled the compound's walls to flee and a Black Hawk helicopter evacuated those trapped by the encircling crowd.

"Red Shirt" protesters, following one of their most hardcore leaders, smashed through the compound's gate with a truck and rushed into the building while Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and other lawmakers were still inside. But the protesters later withdrew from the building at the request of opposition legislators.

The government security agency, known as CAPO, sent a Black Hawk helicopter carrying five soldiers armed with M-16 rifles to fly the ministers and lawmakers to safety, the agency said in a statement. INN television said Suthep was among those evacuated.

Tens of thousands of Red Shirts have been camped in Bangkok since March 12, when protests started in the historic heart of the capital. They say they will continue protests until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who they claim came to power illegitimately, dissolves Parliament and calls new elections.

So what happens if the army gets called in? What if the Red Shirts turn violent?

By: Brant