Thai PM faces no confidence motion amid violent political protests

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday faced a no-confidence debate launched by her opponents in parliament, a day after political protests turned violent in Bangkok.

But the motions, which also target three other government ministers, appeared to have little chance of being passed by a legislature dominated by Yingluck's Puea Thai party and its coalition partners.

"The prime minister has failed to govern this country as promised. She allows corruption," Democrat Party opposition MP Jurin Laksanavisit said.

"She also allows outside people to influence her and control her administration."

Yingluck, who is accused by her rivals of being a puppet for her fugitive brother, told reporters she was "confident" her government could defend itself.

The debate, which is due to be followed by a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, kicked off a day after riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in Bangkok.

Police fired tear gas and made 138 arrests after a group of demonstrators tried to force their way through a fence on the edge of the main protest site with the help of a truck.

Police said Sunday they had freed 137 of the detained protesters without charge. One man, who drove the truck, was charged with violating a special security law invoked by the government to cope with the protest.