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Thai TV channel is off air again Thailand police retake TV channel
(about 5 hours later)
Thai security forces have retaken a satellite TV transmission station and again stopped its broadcasts. Thai security forces have retaken an anti-government satellite TV station and stopped its broadcasts, after a day-long confrontation with protesters.
Thousands of protesters had seized control of the opposition-controlled People Channel, forcing officials to allow it back on air. The red-shirted demonstrators had forced officials to put the People Channel back on air on Friday after the authorities had closed it down.
The authorities say the channel incites violence and spreads false information.The authorities say the channel incites violence and spreads false information.
Over the past three weeks, red-shirted demonstrators demanding new elections have almost paralysed parts of Thailand's capital, Bangkok. Over the past three weeks, protesters demanding new elections have paralysed parts of Thailand's capital, Bangkok.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva gave the order to retake the station late on Friday.
COLOUR-CODED PROTESTS Many rural dwellers and urban poor support red-shirts, while yellow-shirts comprise mainly middle classes and urban eliteIn September 2008 yellows rally against government, reds counter-rally, clashes in BangkokYellows blockade airport in November 2008, government collapses, yellow-friendly government installedIn April 2009 red protests halt Asean summit, two people die in Bangkok clashes, rallies called offReds relaunch protests in March 2010, splash blood on government buildings, march on parliament Reds and yellows Q&A: Thailand protests
The government had initially shut down the People Channel on Thursday under state of emergency laws.The government had initially shut down the People Channel on Thursday under state of emergency laws.
Earlier, in a televised statement, a spokesman for the Thai military said it was prepared to use light to heavy means to hold back the protesters. The move sparked the most violent clashes seen yet in the ongoing protest.
If the red-shirts failed to heed warnings, he said, batons, tear gas and rubber bullets would be used. On Friday, security forces used water cannon and tear gas against the demonstrators who gathered at the People Channel's transmission station, north of Bangkok.
COLOUR-CODED PROTESTS Many rural dwellers and urban poor support red-shirts, while yellow-shirts comprise mainly middle classes and urban eliteIn September 2008 yellows rally against government, reds counter-rally, clashes in BangkokYellows blockade airport in November 2008, government collapses, yellow-friendly government installedIn April 2009 red protests halt Asean summit, two people die in Bangkok clashes, rallies called offReds relaunch protests in March 2010, splash blood on government buildings, march on parliament Reds and yellows Q&A: Thailand protests
The red-shirts threw stones and eventually overcame the security forces, storming the station.
Health officials said 15 people needed hospital treatment after the clashes - 11 protesters and four security personnel.
TV images showed police officers shaking hands and smiling with protesters as they retreated, prompting speculation of split loyalties among the security forces.
"After the incident, many members of the public said they were disappointed, hurt and discouraged by the pictures they saw," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a televised statement.
"Instead of the restoration of law and order, those who broke the law can do whatever they want. My feeling is similar to yours."
Shortly afterwards, the police retook control of the People Channel and closed it down.
One of the leaders of the red-shirts, Nattawut Saikua, condemned the move.
Politicians were angered at the friendliness of protesters and soldiers
"[The authorities have] gone back on what they said to us. How can we let these kind of people lead our country? We have to fight on," he told crowds of supporters from a makeshift stage.
The red-shirts began their campaign on 12 March, establishing two camps in Bangkok - one at Government House and another in the commercial district, forcing some businesses to close.The red-shirts began their campaign on 12 March, establishing two camps in Bangkok - one at Government House and another in the commercial district, forcing some businesses to close.
The red-shirts - many of whom are sympathisers of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra - want Prime Minister Vejjajiva to resign and call elections, saying his government is illegitimate. They want Mr Vejjajiva to resign and call an election, saying his government is illegitimate.
The red-shirts are broadly drawn from the urban poor and rural areas, and many of them support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.
They have vowed to defy the emergency laws with more rallies.They have vowed to defy the emergency laws with more rallies.
Arrests warrants have been issued for several of the protest leaders. Arrest warrants have been issued for several of the protest leaders.
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