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Bangkok protests 'under control' Bangkok protests 'under control'
(10 minutes later)
The Thai PM has told the BBC that troops have the situation in Bangkok under control after a day of battles with anti-government protesters.The Thai PM has told the BBC that troops have the situation in Bangkok under control after a day of battles with anti-government protesters.
Dozens were injured in battles between gun-toting soldiers and protesters armed with petrol bombs and sticks.Dozens were injured in battles between gun-toting soldiers and protesters armed with petrol bombs and sticks.
PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC that people were entitled to carry out peaceful protests but were not allowed to riot or incite others.PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC that people were entitled to carry out peaceful protests but were not allowed to riot or incite others.
"We are confident that we are in control of the situation," he said."We are confident that we are in control of the situation," he said.
After days of gathering protests by supporters of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Monday saw a dramatic escalation on the streets.After days of gathering protests by supporters of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Monday saw a dramatic escalation on the streets.
Soldiers were seen firing their guns into the air and into the crowds, while protesters burnt buses and threw firebombs in retaliation.Soldiers were seen firing their guns into the air and into the crowds, while protesters burnt buses and threw firebombs in retaliation.
The situation in Thailand is of very brutal suppression Thaksin Shinawatra Former Thai prime minister In pictures: Thai crackdown The situation in Thailand is of very brutal suppression Thaksin Shinawatra Former Thai prime minister In pictures: Thai crackdown
Army spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said they were not firing real bullets.Army spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said they were not firing real bullets.
"If the protesters show that that they intend to hurt the officials, we will use military training rifles on them with blank bullets made from paper, which will not hurt the protesters.""If the protesters show that that they intend to hurt the officials, we will use military training rifles on them with blank bullets made from paper, which will not hurt the protesters."
Mr Abhisit dismissed claims by the protesters that people had died, saying he had no confirmation of any fatalities from hospitals.Mr Abhisit dismissed claims by the protesters that people had died, saying he had no confirmation of any fatalities from hospitals.
The prime minister earlier said 70 people had been injured, including 23 soldiers.The prime minister earlier said 70 people had been injured, including 23 soldiers.
"We are here to restore order," he told the BBC."We are here to restore order," he told the BBC.
"If the people want to demonstrate peacefully, if they want to exercise their constitutional rights they are welcome to do so, but they cannot riot, they cannot incite people to break the law, they cannot intimidate and use violence against other people.""If the people want to demonstrate peacefully, if they want to exercise their constitutional rights they are welcome to do so, but they cannot riot, they cannot incite people to break the law, they cannot intimidate and use violence against other people."
Monday is the start of a three-day holiday for the Thai New Year, and some protesters handed out pink roses to soldiers as a sign of peace.Monday is the start of a three-day holiday for the Thai New Year, and some protesters handed out pink roses to soldiers as a sign of peace.
Mr Abhisit's resignation is the key demand of the protesters.Mr Abhisit's resignation is the key demand of the protesters.
Soldiers were handed roses by some protestersSoldiers were handed roses by some protesters
He declared a state of emergency on Sunday after the protests forced the cancellation of a major meeting of Asian leaders in the resort city of Pattaya.He declared a state of emergency on Sunday after the protests forced the cancellation of a major meeting of Asian leaders in the resort city of Pattaya.
Mr Abhisit suggested that 80 to 90% of the the 100,000 protestors who caused chaos with largely peaceful demonstrations last week had now dispersed.Mr Abhisit suggested that 80 to 90% of the the 100,000 protestors who caused chaos with largely peaceful demonstrations last week had now dispersed.
Speaking late on Monday, he said most of the remaining protesters were around Government House.Speaking late on Monday, he said most of the remaining protesters were around Government House.
"We will try to find the best solution we can over the next couple of days," he added."We will try to find the best solution we can over the next couple of days," he added.
BBC correspondent Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the situation was fluid throughout the day, with soldiers at times showing restraint, but at other times being undisciplined.BBC correspondent Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the situation was fluid throughout the day, with soldiers at times showing restraint, but at other times being undisciplined.
Bangkok citizens had also attacked some of the red-shirted protesters.Bangkok citizens had also attacked some of the red-shirted protesters.
Speaking to the BBC from the Middle East, Mr Thaksin accused the army of lying about the shooting in Bangkok, saying that soldiers had not fired into the air as the army said, but into crowds with live ammunition.Speaking to the BBC from the Middle East, Mr Thaksin accused the army of lying about the shooting in Bangkok, saying that soldiers had not fired into the air as the army said, but into crowds with live ammunition.
'Peaceful' protests'Peaceful' protests
This was demonstrated by the number of injured protesters who had been hospitalised, he said.This was demonstrated by the number of injured protesters who had been hospitalised, he said.
"The situation in Thailand is of very brutal suppression," he said."The situation in Thailand is of very brutal suppression," he said.
On Monday, Mr Thaksin clarified his previous call to supporters for a revolution, saying he meant a "peaceful revolution".On Monday, Mr Thaksin clarified his previous call to supporters for a revolution, saying he meant a "peaceful revolution".
"All the protesters come with bare hands, they come with peace, they are asking for a true democracy for all," he said, although he did acknowledge that some had "sticks and stones"."All the protesters come with bare hands, they come with peace, they are asking for a true democracy for all," he said, although he did acknowledge that some had "sticks and stones".
Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored and the army can be deployed to help police maintain order.Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored and the army can be deployed to help police maintain order.
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