FOUR deaths of soldiers have been recorded today with 80 people injured, three government spokesmen told Thai television audiences at 8.30pm tonight. Civilian deaths have also been reported. ''Strict rules of engagement'' were in place to govern use of live ammunition, one spokesman said, in English. Security measures will be stepped up in the next few days, he said. ''We are able and willing and committed to stabilise the situation,'' he added. The Prime Minister is keen to pursue his road map for reconciliation. Residents in certain areas, though, especially in Bangkok, could be subject to ''people wanting to create instability'' in the next few days.


DARKNESS was falling on Bangkok this evening with what amounts to urban guerrilla skirmishes taking place in the heart of the city.

Hundreds of troops carrying and sometimes firing live ammunition were pursuing groups of red protesters, attempting to contain the red demonstration and to prevent them from maintaining chains for supplies and reinforcements.

A Thai government spokesman said the red groups were attacking the checkpoints that had been set up to contain the red protest to a downtown area of Bangkok, where between 3000 and 4000 reds are believed to be holed up behind barricades of tyres and bamboo spikes.

At least one police bus was set on fire in retaliation by the protesters. Ironically, although the one-time military leader of the more radical reds lies in a coma in a Bangkok hospital after being shot in the head soon after darkness fell yesterday evening, his tactics are most probably being used tonight against the troops.

Just as the daughter of Major General ''Seh Daeng'' (Red Commander) Khattiya Sawatdiphol supports the yellow side of Thailand's political divide, so the unrest splits families and the entire country.

A group of red protesters from Phuket is in Bangkok among the barricades. Tourists continue to fly to the holiday island where there are no signs of violence, but the latest outbreak of gunfire in the streets of the nation's capital is expected to lead to another round of cancellations of holidays in Thailand.

Embassies in the ''hot'' region of Bangkok stayed closed today, as did Macdonalds outlets and the Foreign Correspondents Club. Journalists covering the skirmishes were not immune. A reporter from France 24 and a Thai photographer were among about 30 people who suffered injuries or wounds as troops and protesters exchanged fire.

It was not clear how much of the rat-tat-tat that pieced the silent city streets consisted of live ammunition. But it was a bullet that downed the most militant red leader in the dark last night, and the prospect for a night without more deaths and injuries did not appear to be good.

Schools in the central district were to resume Monday but students have been told to stay away until June 1, an indication that the army strategy appears to be to contain the protesters behind their barricades and wait for food and water to run out.