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Thailand police retake TV channel Thai troops move in on protesters
(about 6 hours later)
Thai security forces have retaken an anti-government satellite TV station and stopped its broadcasts, after a day-long confrontation with protesters. Thai troops are moving against two anti-government camps in the capital, Bangkok, vowing to clear at least one of them before dusk.
The red-shirted demonstrators had forced officials to put the People Channel back on air on Friday after the authorities had closed it down. More than 90 people have been injured in clashes so far as security forces fired rubber bullets at the opposition red-shirted demonstrators.
The authorities say the channel incites violence and spreads false information. Earlier, security forces retook an anti-government satellite TV station.
Over the past three weeks, protesters demanding new elections have paralysed parts of Thailand's capital, Bangkok. Over the past three weeks, protesters demanding new elections have paralysed parts of Bangkok.
The government had initially shut down the People Channel on Thursday under state of emergency laws. Lines of soldiers and police in riot gear have been facing off against the demonstrators, launching an attempt to clear the protest camps, regrouping and then trying again.
The move sparked the most violent clashes seen yet in the ongoing protest. The troops are under orders to break up at least one of the anti-government sites by nightfall, says the BBC's Rachel Harvey in Bangkok.
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. More than 90 people, including 22 soldiers and police, have been hurt in the clashes.
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 protestsCOLOUR-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. Protesters have covered CCTV with black bags to prevent surveillance and towels were handed out among the red-shirts to help minimise the effects of tear gas.
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.
They want Mr Vejjajiva to resign and call an election, saying his government is illegitimate. Elsewhere, hundreds of protesters force their way into the governor's office in the northern city of Chiang Mai in protest at the security forces' actions in Bangkok.
The Thai capital has witnessed at times chaotic confrontations.
On Friday, protesters overcame security forces and put the anti-government television station, the People Channel, temporarily back on air.
TV images showed police officers shaking hands and smiling with protesters as they retreated, prompting speculation of split loyalties among the security forces.
But shortly afterwards, police officers retook the channel and stopped its broadcasts.
The red shirts want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign and call an election, saying his government is illegitimate.
Mr Vejjajiva was expected to give a television address from an army barracks that has been the government's operation centre for the past month.
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.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. Arrest 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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