BANGKOK Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed Saturday to take decisive action against protesters blamed for causing a dozen injuries after they staged a demonstration opposing a Malaysian pipeline plan.

"My government is ready to take the utmost decisive action against any violent mob," he in his weekly radio address.

Thaksin said 15 police officers were injured in the clash late Friday, while protesters said many villagers opposing the projects were also hurt when some 1,000 police in riot gear baton-charged them.

The group of about 2,000 protesters were gathering near the Dusit JB hotel in the southern city of Hat Yai ahead of a joint cabinet meeting of Thai and Malaysian ministers due to be held there on Sunday.