Bangkok, Feb 18 (IANS): At least one policeman was killed and 44 people were injured Tuesday in clashes between Thai police and anti-government protestors here.

Police tried to take back the protest sites near the Democracy Monument, Government House, and the energy and interior ministries in the morning and took control of most of the areas but shortly before noon gunshots and explosions were heard. Many of the 44 people were injured in the incidents, according to officials.

A policeman was killed when police were trying to retake a rally site near the Democracy Monument from anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protestors, a media report said.

According to the Bangkok metropolitan administration's Erawan Emergency Medical Centre, all the injured have been rushed to hospitals, reported the Bangkok Post.

Protestors of the PDRC moved into the offices after the government's announcement Sunday that there would be no peace talks with opposition protestors and all rally sites occupied by them should be vacated by police this week.