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Bangkok tense after fatal clashes Thai troops clash with protesters
(about 1 hour later)
Thai security forces and anti-government protesters remain in a stand-off in Bangkok after clashes overnight in which one person died. Thai security forces have fired live rounds after moving in to seal off a heavily defended encampment of protesters in the centre of Bangkok.
Protesters set fire to vehicles as gunshots rang out and troops moved in to seal off roads around the demonstrators' city centre encampment. Protesters set fire to a police bus near foreign embassies as gunshots rang out, following clashes overnight that left one person dead in the capital.
A renegade general backing the protest remains in a critical condition a day after he was shot by an unknown gunman. A BBC correspondent says the area is like a warzone, with troops firing into a park at protesters.
The demonstrators want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down.The demonstrators want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down.
Many of the red-shirts support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
'Tightening the noose'
Overnight, security forces shut down the electricity supply to the area around the large protest camp in the city centre.
A renegade general backing the protest remains in a critical condition a day after he was shot by an unknown gunman.
KHATTIYA SAWASDIPOL Describes himself as a key military adviser to the red-shirtsSuspended from duty in the Thai army where he has the rank of major-generalDubbed Seh Daeng (English: Commander Red), enjoys a cult following among the opposition's radical wingAged 58, has likened himself to the Mel Gibson character in the film Braveheart Profile: 'Commander Red' In Pictures: Bangkok violence Thai protests: Eyewitness accounts Profile: Thailand's reds and yellows
On Friday, troops fired tear gas while advancing on dozens of protesters who had set up a checkpoint outside the Suan Lum night market to stop soldiers advancing on their main base.On Friday, troops fired tear gas while advancing on dozens of protesters who had set up a checkpoint outside the Suan Lum night market to stop soldiers advancing on their main base.
'Disperse them' Residents fled in panic as gunshots rang out and soldiers moved in to the area, which is popular with tourists.
Army spokesman Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd was quoted by AFP news agency as saying: "They have intimidated authorities with weapons so security officials have asked the commander to disperse them."Army spokesman Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd was quoted by AFP news agency as saying: "They have intimidated authorities with weapons so security officials have asked the commander to disperse them."
ANALYSIS By Vaudine England, BBC News, Bangkok
The clashes so far appear to be just the opening salvos in the next phase of the prolonged struggle for the centre of the city.
Government troops say they control major roads around the red-shirt protest camp.
Red-shirt guards say they are forming units to defend their barricades.
The red-shirts remain defiant - taunting the troops, saying if you want more dead bodies, come and get them.
They also say they have power, water and food supplies to last.
But this is also the most determined effort by a weakened government to end the protests since the deadly but failed effort back on 10 April in which 25 people died.
Thousands of protesters, known as red-shirts after the colour they wear, have reinforced their bamboo barricades and vowed to maintain their camp in a commercial district of Bangkok until elections are called.Thousands of protesters, known as red-shirts after the colour they wear, have reinforced their bamboo barricades and vowed to maintain their camp in a commercial district of Bangkok until elections are called.
Overnight, security forces shut down the electricity supply to the area around the large protest camp in the city centre. "They are tightening a noose on us but we will fight to the end, brothers and sisters," a protest leader, Nattawut Saikua, told a cheering crowd, reports news agency Reuters.
Guards were seen at the sprawling protest site armed with slingshots and arrows.
The authorities have also begun to cut public transport and some mobile phone services to the area occupied by the protesters.The authorities have also begun to cut public transport and some mobile phone services to the area occupied by the protesters.
The government has threatened for days to cut off power, water and food supplies to the red-shirt camp, but the protesters have their own supplies and appear ready for a long siege, says our correspondent. The government has threatened for days to cut off power, water and food supplies to the red-shirt camp.
Early on Friday, protesters threw stones and bottles, prompting soldiers to fire warning shots in the air, reports said. But the protesters have their own supplies and appear ready for a long siege, says our correspondent.
Commander Red shot One protester was shot dead on Thursday night after a group of red-shirts confronted armed security personnel on the outskirts of the encampment.
One protester was shot dead after a group of red shirts confronted armed security personnel on the outskirts of the barricaded encampment.
At least nine people were reported to have been injured.
The clashes followed the wounding of a renegade Thai general who had been organising the red-shirts' security.The clashes followed the wounding of a renegade Thai general who had been organising the red-shirts' security.
KHATTIYA SAWASDIPOL Describes himself as a key military adviser to the red-shirtsSuspended from duty in the Thai army where he has the rank of major-generalDubbed Seh Daeng (English: Commander Red), enjoys a cult following among the opposition's radical wingAged 58, has likened himself to the Mel Gibson character in the film Braveheart class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8680566.stm">Profile: 'Commander Red' class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8680824.stm">In Pictures: Bangkok violence class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8681824.stm">Thai protests: Eyewitness accounts 'Expressionless'
Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), was shot in the head and seriously injured.Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), was shot in the head and seriously injured.
Seh Daeng is part of the protesters' more radical wing and had accused red-shirt leaders - many of whom have distanced themselves from him - of not being hard-line enough.Seh Daeng is part of the protesters' more radical wing and had accused red-shirt leaders - many of whom have distanced themselves from him - of not being hard-line enough.
Circumstances surrounding the shooting, near the Silom business area, are not clear.Circumstances surrounding the shooting, near the Silom business area, are not clear.
A New York Times journalist, Thomas Fuller, was interviewing the general at the moment the shot rang out.
The reporter told the BBC's World Today: "He immediately dropped to the ground, his eyes were open but he was expressionless and his body wasn't moving at all."
A spokesman for the red-shirt movement blamed an army sniper but military officials said troops had orders to fire only in self-defence.A spokesman for the red-shirt movement blamed an army sniper but military officials said troops had orders to fire only in self-defence.
The protesters - who have been occupying parts of Bangkok for more than two months - want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections. The protesters - who have been occupying parts of Bangkok for more than two months - want Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections.
Their camp stretches from the city's shopping district south to its business hub.Their camp stretches from the city's shopping district south to its business hub.
Mr Abhisit is under severe pressure to end the protests, which have paralysed Bangkok since 14 March. Thailand's worst political unrest in nearly two decades has left some 30 people dead and more than 1,400 wounded.
Mr Abhisit is under severe pressure to end the protests, which have paralysed Bangkok since mid-March.
He had offered polls on 14 November - but the two sides failed to agree a deal because of divisions over who should be held accountable for a deadly crackdown on protests last month.He had offered polls on 14 November - but the two sides failed to agree a deal because of divisions over who should be held accountable for a deadly crackdown on protests last month.
The 10 April operation left 19 protesters, one journalist and five soldiers dead.
Are you in or close to the protest camp in Bangkok? What is the situation in the area? Are you worried there'll be more violence? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in or close to the protest camp in Bangkok? What is the situation in the area? Are you worried there'll be more violence? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions