Thailand's government on Sunday said it would seek a court order to force anti-government protesters to end their crippling rally in Bangkok's tourist hub. <br/><br/>The "Red Shirts", who are demanding immediate elections to pave the way for the return of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra escalated their three-week rally a day earlier, massing in the capital's main shopping and luxury hotel district. <br/><br/>With businesses and tourism threatened, the government has banned the gathering under a strict security law and threatened protesters with a year in jail. <br/><br/>Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in charge of security, said the government would seek a court order to increase pressure on the Reds to leave after the weekend. <br/><br/>Meanwhile, the Reds continued their demonstrations amid sweltering temperatures today, forcing many shopping malls to close for a second day and seizing up traffic in the district.