BANGKOK, Thailand – Army Commander in Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha warned Thursday (May 15th) his troops "may use force" to quell political violence after three people were killed in an attack on protesters in Bangkok, AFP reported.

The statement followed a call by election authorities to postpone July elections because of the unrest.

"I want to warn every group – especially those who use violence and war weapons against innocent civilians – to stop now because if the violence continues, the military may be needed to come out... to restore peace and order," Prayuth said.

Unknown assailants fired two grenades into a rally camp at the Democracy Monument, followed by gunfire. Bangkok's Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre said three people were killed and 23 more wounded.

Hours later, opposition demonstrators stormed a meeting between government and vote officials, forcing caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan and other ministers to flee.