Thai army may resort to force to end mass protest

BANGKOK May 12 (Reuters) - The Thai military may use force to disperse thousands of anti-government protesters if shutting off power and cutting off supplies fails to end their mass street demonstration in central Bangkok, said an army spokesman.

The authorities have been faced with a dilemma of how to dislodge thousands of protesters, including women and children, from their fortified encampment sprawling across 3 sq km (1.2 sq mile) of Bangkok's main shopping district. (Reporting by Ambika Ahuja; Writing by Jason Szep; Editing by Alex Richardson)