Death toll from Bangkok protests climbs to 21

Bangkok, Thailand -- The death toll from the weekend's clashes between anti-government protesters and Thai security forces climbed to 21, authorities said.

Of the dead, 17 are civilians and four are military, the Bangkok Emergency Medical Service said Sunday.

The clashes on Saturday also left 858 injured, the service said.

The protesters, known as the "Red Shirts," for their clothing, organized a funeral ritual for their members at Phan Fa Bridge on Sunday. Thousands of protesters attended.

In addition, the protesters seized six military vehicles, smashing their windows, and blocked part of the major Pinklao Bridge.

The government, meanwhile, said it was asking officers to return to their bases to refresh and prepare for the next operation.

The protesters' group, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, said it is unwilling to sit down for negotiations with the government unless it is to discuss the dissolution of the lower house of parliament.