This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7996845.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Bangkok protests 'under control' | Bangkok protests 'under control' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Thailand's prime minister has told the BBC that troops have brought Bangkok under control after a day of battles with anti-government protesters. | Thailand's prime minister has told the BBC that troops have brought Bangkok under control after a day of battles with anti-government protesters. |
| But a day marked by repeated violence ended with reports of two people killed and dozens injured amid clashes near Government House. | But a day marked by repeated violence ended with reports of two people killed and dozens injured amid clashes near Government House. |
| PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC that people were entitled to carry out peaceful protests - but not to riot. | PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC that people were entitled to carry out peaceful protests - but not to riot. |
| "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 Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - who want Mr Vejjajiva to resign - Monday saw a dramatic escalation on the streets. | After days of gathering protests by supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - who want Mr Vejjajiva to resign - 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. |
| In pictures: Thai crackdown class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7996135.stm"> Britons warned off Bangkok travel | |
| By Monday evening, most of the remaining protesters on Bangkok's streets - said by Mr Abhisit to number no more than 20,000 - were concentrated around Government House, the prime minister said. | By Monday evening, most of the remaining protesters on Bangkok's streets - said by Mr Abhisit to number no more than 20,000 - were concentrated around Government House, the prime minister said. |
| But after nightfall there were violent clashes outside Government House. Thai cabinet minister Satit Wonghnongtaey said one person had died in battles between protesters and local residents. | But after nightfall there were violent clashes outside Government House. Thai cabinet minister Satit Wonghnongtaey said one person had died in battles between protesters and local residents. |
| Reports from hospitals suggested at least one more person died in the violence. | Reports from hospitals suggested at least one more person died in the violence. |
| BBC correspondent Jonathan Head, in Bangkok, says political turmoil has disrupted life in Thailand for so long now that it's easy to forget the country was once seen as a paragon of stability. | BBC correspondent Jonathan Head, in Bangkok, says political turmoil has disrupted life in Thailand for so long now that it's easy to forget the country was once seen as a paragon of stability. |
| The situation in Bangkok was fluid throughout the day, our correspondent says, with soldiers at times showing restraint, but at other times being undisciplined. | The situation in Bangkok was fluid throughout the day, our correspondent says, with soldiers at times showing restraint, but at other times being undisciplined. |
| 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. |
| But in a BBC interview, Mr Thaksin said: "The situation in Thailand is of very brutal suppression." | But in a BBC interview, Mr Thaksin said: "The situation in Thailand is of very brutal suppression." |
| And he clarified his previous call to supporters for a revolution, saying he meant a "peaceful revolution". | And he 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". |
| 'They cannot riot' | 'They cannot riot' |
| Mr Abhisit, the current prime minister, 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, the current prime minister, 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. |
| But Army spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said soldiers were not firing real bullets in Monday's clashes. | But Army spokesperson Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said soldiers were not firing real bullets in Monday's clashes. |
| "If the protesters show 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 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." |
| 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. |
| Earlier, Mr Abhisit said 70 people had been injured, including 23 soldiers. | Earlier, Mr Abhisit said 70 people had been injured, including 23 soldiers. |
| Shinawatra on protests in Thailand | Shinawatra on protests in Thailand |
| He added: "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." | He added: "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." |
| "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. |
| Under the current 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 current 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. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published. | The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published. |