Despite international headlines screaming of turmoil in Thailand, many Bangkok residents see this week's violence between police and protesters as more of a traffic problem than a political one.

In a country that has seen 18 coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, the clashes were treated with concern and sadness, but the sprawling capital mostly carried on as if nothing was amiss.

"Politics in Thailand is not stable," shrugged an unconcerned commuter on the ultra-modern light railway who would not give his full name.

Two people were killed and more than 470 injured when police clashed with thousands of anti-government protesters who stormed parliament on Tuesday.

As with previous political violence at nearby Government House this year, the fallout was localised.

"The first factor is the traffic for the people who work in that area," said Sinisa Lungrung, 32, who works in marketing. "The second factor is the uncertainty that affects people's lives."

Student Kantapat Tepinpria, 16, goes to school near parliament. The unrest added 30 minutes to his commute, he said. When asked if there were any further effects, Kantapat thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Just traffic."

Many Thais do not take sides in the months-long battle of wills between protest group the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the government but want the unrest to end.

"They have to compromise," said 24-year-old Chayanisa Klaywongwan, shopping Friday in central Bangkok. "PAD (needs to give) more than the government."

Selling T-shirts from a small cart in that same alley market, Yuthapoom Hanchuk, 57, said he was pro-PAD but also wanted the protests to end.

"If the protests continue, it will be very serious. If (the government) steps down, it stops," he said.

Pat Luksamanapha, 36, said the goings-on in government did not affect the day-to-day "work and play lifestyle" of most of Bangkok's 12 million residents.

"You can see the people in Bangkok have a lifestyle that's normal. They don't think about it," Pat said, gesturing around the light rail station at the unperturbed passengers.

Tong Chatchai, 24, works at tourist information in Siam Square, an eclectic maze of local shops and chain stores across the road from one of Bangkok's ritziest shopping centres.

Tong said he was worried the violence would spread, with average Thais getting caught between the police and the PAD, which he called "a little group no good for Thailand."

The PAD allege the current People Power Party government is acting as proxy for ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile in England.