DHAKA: Thai police have removed barriers around their headquarters, after protesters said they were targeting the police building.

The move to defuse tensions came as anti-government protests in Bangkok entered their tenth day, reports BBC.

The mood in the capital now appears calmer, with fewer clashes between rioters and police, correspondents say.

The Thai prime minister has rejected protesters` demands that she step down, describing them as unconstitutional.

Yingluck Shinawatra said she was open to negotiations but that calls for the government to be replaced by an appointed council were illegal.

The protests, which began on 24 November, had been largely peaceful until Saturday, when they became violent.

Over the weekend demonstrators tried to break apart police barricades and storm the prime minister`s office, Government House, with police using tear gas and water cannon to repel them.

BDST: 1044 HRS, DEC 03 , 2013