The Associated Press

Tue, Oct 7, 2008 (4 a.m.)

One man has died in a car explosion in the Thai capital of Bangkok that occurred amid anti-government riots.

Police Col. Somchai Choiklin says authorities suspect the explosion Tuesday was caused by a bomb "because the body was ripped into pieces and other vehicles nearby also caught fire." The identity of the dead man was not known.

The car was parked near the headquarters of the Chart Thai Party, a member of the six-party coalition government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

Protesters trying to blockade parliament have been having running clashes with police all day. The People's alliance for Democracy protest groups seek to have Somchai's government step down.