Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters have defied security forces and taken control of a satellite station to try to restore an opposition television channel. The government shut down the People Channel yesterday saying it was destabilizing the political situation. The protesters known as the red-shirts say they want to get it back on air. Tear gas was used against the crowd but the anti-government protesters regrouped and pushed back, forcing the security forces to retreat. It follows a month-long protest aimed at ousting the prime minister. The army has surrounded the compound. This is the first time during the ongoing stand-off that the security forces have used force against the protesters.