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Thailand clashes leave nine dead Eleven killed in Thailand clashes
(about 3 hours later)
Nine people have been killed and 300 hurt in clashes in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, as troops tried to retake areas from anti-government protesters. At least 11 people have been killed and 300 hurt in clashes in the Thai capital Bangkok, as troops tried to retake areas from anti-government protesters.
Soldiers and police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as they advanced after dusk on the red-shirt protesters, who responded by throwing petrol bombs.Soldiers and police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as they advanced after dusk on the red-shirt protesters, who responded by throwing petrol bombs.
The army has now called for a truce, saying its troops have retreated. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva later said the army had halted its operation.
The protesters, who want the government to call new elections, have been camped out in parts of the city for a month.The protesters, who want the government to call new elections, have been camped out in parts of the city for a month.
If this continues, if the army responds to the red-shirts, the violence will escalate Col Sansern KaewkamnerdArmy spokesman The army were firing live rounds on civilians. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself Paul, British teacher class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8613482.stm">Eyewitness: 'Shot in the chest'
Earlier, the security forces retook an anti-government TV station.Earlier, the security forces retook an anti-government TV station.
Protesters overcame police outside the offices of the People Channel on Friday and temporarily put it back on air. TV footage showed officers shaking hands and smiling with protesters as they retreated.Protesters overcame police outside the offices of the People Channel on Friday and temporarily put it back on air. TV footage showed officers shaking hands and smiling with protesters as they retreated.
Meanwhile, hundreds of red-shirts are reported to have forced their way into government offices in the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Udon Thani in protest at the government crackdown in Bangkok.Meanwhile, hundreds of red-shirts are reported to have forced their way into government offices in the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Udon Thani in protest at the government crackdown in Bangkok.
'Explosion' 'Hard measures'
After night fell in the capital, hundreds of soldiers and riot police advanced on a red-shirt camp near Phan Fah bridge and Rajdumnoen road, close to several government buildings and a UN office.After night fell in the capital, hundreds of soldiers and riot police advanced on a red-shirt camp near Phan Fah bridge and Rajdumnoen road, close to several government buildings and a UN office.
Local media reported that both sides were firing weapons and detonating explosive devices. Images broadcast on television showed chaotic scenes, with clouds of tear gas enveloping the streets.Local media reported that both sides were firing weapons and detonating explosive devices. Images broadcast on television showed chaotic scenes, with clouds of tear gas enveloping the streets.
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
Later, Bangkok Deputy Governor Malinee Sukavrejworakit said four soldiers, four civilians and a journalist - believed to be a Japanese national - had died. Paul, a British teacher who lives in Thailand, told the BBC he had been in a crowd of protesters across the road from the Khao San intersection, when one man was shot in the chest. It is not known if he was one of the dead.
An army spokesman, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, meanwhile went on national television to announce that the security forces had retreated, and appealed to the protesters to disperse. "There were shots, but I thought they were rubber bullets until I saw what happened to the man. He was around 50 years old, and waving a flag from a pick-up truck. His head was 5ft above from the highest point of the truck."
"If this continues, if the army responds to the red-shirts, the violence will escalate," he said, adding that some of the protesters had been using "real bullets and grenades". "He looked normal and then fell to the ground," he added. "The army were firing live rounds on civilians. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself."
A senior government official had been asked to co-ordinate with the protesters "to bring back peace", Col Sansern said. Later, the government's Erawan emergency centre said at least 11 people - two soldiers and nine civilians - had been killed. Hiro Muramoto, a Japanese television cameraman working for Reuters was among the dead, the news agency said.
A red-shirt leader also called on supporters to pull back. Shortly before midnight, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on national television to express his "regret" to the families of the victims and insist the troops involved would only have fired live rounds "into the air and in self-defence".
An earlier confrontation near Phan Fah bridge left five people with gunshot wounds. Troops also unsuccessfully sought to clear another protester camp nearby at the Kok Woa intersection. "The soldiers have stopped their operation. The protests continue, but in such a way that does not interfere with the security forces."
The army had earlier declared that it hoped to clear out the protesters from one site by dusk, and that it would employ "soft measures and hard measures". Earlier confrontations left several people with gunshot wounds
Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said that "if the security officers have to use force, they will do it with caution". Mr Abhisit said he and his government were "still responsible for easing the situation and trying to bring peace and order to the country", indirectly asserting that he would not resign.
Riot police have meanwhile been gathering in the city's main shopping area, where the red-shirts are planning to hold a mass rally. Most of the shops in the area have been closed and the city's elevated mass transit system, the BTS Skytrain, has been shut down. An army spokesman, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, earlier announced that the security forces were pulling back, and accused some of the protesters of using "real bullets and grenades".
The red-shirts - a loose coalition of left-wing activists and supporters of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call an election. The army had declared it hoped to clear out the protesters from one camp by dusk, and would employ "soft measures and hard measures".
They say Mr Abhisit came to power illegitimately in a parliamentary vote after a pro-Thaksin government was forced to step down. Mr Thaksin was ousted as prime minister in a military coup in 2006. Riot police have meanwhile gathered in the city's main shopping area, where the red-shirts were planning to hold a mass rally. Most of the shops in the area have been closed and the city's elevated mass transit system, the BTS Skytrain, has been shut down.
Political uncertainty
The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Bangkok says Saturday's clashes have been the deadliest since the mass protests began last month.
The red-shirts want the government to dissolve parliament and call an election
Both the security services and Mr Abhisit had promised to show restraint in order to avoid a repeat of last year's riots, when two members of the "yellow-shirts" were killed while demanding the previous government resign, and Thailand went into a state of national shock, our correspondent says.
The death of so many more people on Saturday can only mean greater political uncertainty for the country, he adds.
The red-shirts - a loose coalition of left-wing activists and supporters of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - want Mr Abhisit to dissolve parliament and call an election.
They say Mr Abhisit came to power illegitimately in a parliamentary vote after a pro-Thaksin government was forced to step down in 2008. Mr Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
They have vowed to defy the state of emergency declared on Wednesday with more rallies. Arrest warrants have been issued for several of the protest leaders.They have vowed to defy the state of emergency declared on Wednesday with more rallies. Arrest warrants have been issued for several of the protest leaders.
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