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Thai troops clash with protesters Deadly clashes erupt in Bangkok
(40 minutes later)
Thai security forces have fired live rounds after moving in to seal a heavily defended encampment of demonstrators in the centre of Bangkok. Thai security forces have fired live rounds after moving to seal a heavily defended demonstrators' camp in Bangkok in clashes that left two people dead.
Embassies were closed as protesters set fire to a police bus and gunshots rang out, amid fierce clashes that left one person dead in the capital overnight. Embassies were closed as protesters set fire to a police bus and shot fireworks at troops, who also responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Our correspondent says the area is like a war zone, with troops firing into a park as a helicopter buzzes above. Our correspondent says the area is like a war zone, with troops firing into a park as a helicopter circled overhead.
The demonstrators want the prime minister to resign and call elections.The demonstrators want the prime minister to resign and call elections.
Many of the so-called red-shirt protesters support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.Many of the so-called red-shirt protesters support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.
'Tightening the noose''Tightening the noose'
Overnight, security forces shut down the electricity supply to the area around the large protest camp in the city centre. The Bangkok authorities have cut off water and electricity to the camp in a renewed effort by the Thai government to reclaim the city centre.
AT THE SCENE Alastair Leithead, BBC News, Bangkok The centre of Bangkok is a no-go area. I'm on the main diplomatic street where a lot of the foreign embassies are.AT THE SCENE Alastair Leithead, BBC News, Bangkok The centre of Bangkok is a no-go area. I'm on the main diplomatic street where a lot of the foreign embassies are.
A short time ago the alarm went off in the park to mark midday and it was eerily quiet, but 10 minutes earlier there was heavy gunfire.A short time ago the alarm went off in the park to mark midday and it was eerily quiet, but 10 minutes earlier there was heavy gunfire.
The troops were firing a considerable number of rounds into a park, on the other side of which the protesters have control.The troops were firing a considerable number of rounds into a park, on the other side of which the protesters have control.
There are areas of confrontation all around the centre of Bangkok. It's heavily militarised. The troops have been firing rubber bullets, tear gas and live rounds.There are areas of confrontation all around the centre of Bangkok. It's heavily militarised. The troops have been firing rubber bullets, tear gas and live rounds.
This road is blocked by a burnt-out bus and by a whole group of red-shirt protesters who have been shooting fireworks at the military.This road is blocked by a burnt-out bus and by a whole group of red-shirt protesters who have been shooting fireworks at the military.
The whole of this central area is being buzzed by a helicopter. We are hearing reports of someone being killed on the road nearby.The whole of this central area is being buzzed by a helicopter. We are hearing reports of someone being killed on the road nearby.
The centre of Bangkok is a very dangerous place to be.The centre of Bangkok is a very dangerous place to be.
A renegade general who was backing the protest remains in a critical condition, a day after he was shot by an unknown gunman.A renegade general who was backing the protest remains in a critical condition, a day after he was shot by an unknown gunman.
The British embassy was among several foreign missions shut on Friday as the violence escalated. The British embassy was among several foreign missions closed on Friday.
There are reports a journalist with France 24 TV and a photographer from Thai newspaper Matichon were each shot in the leg. One person has been killed and a demonstrator was shot dead on Thursday night.
Gunshots rang out and troops fired tear gas as they advanced on hundreds of protesters who had set up a checkpoint outside the Suan Lum night market to stop soldiers advancing on their main base. There are reports a France 24 TV reporter was shot in the leg, and that two Thai journalists were also shot.
The demonstrators, most of whom are rural poor, have been responding by shooting fireworks at the security forces. Residents fled as gunshots rang out when thousands of soldiers moved in to seal off access to the protesters' camp.
Residents fled in panic as soldiers moved into the area, which is popular with tourists. The troops advanced on hundreds of demonstrators who had set up a checkpoint outside the Suan Lum night market, popular with tourists, to stop soldiers approaching their main base.
A government spokesman, Panitan Wattanayagorn, told the BBC's World Today the security forces were just trying to seal the area, not storm the barricades. A government spokesman, Panitan Wattanayagorn, told the BBC's World Today the security forces were not trying to storm the barricades.
"We want to cut down a number of activities including the logistics, sending in the fuel and gasoline trucks," he said."We want to cut down a number of activities including the logistics, sending in the fuel and gasoline trucks," he said.
Thousands of protesters, including women and children, have reinforced their bamboo barricades and vowed to maintain their camp in a commercial district of Bangkok.Thousands of protesters, including women and children, have reinforced their bamboo barricades and vowed to maintain their camp in a commercial district of Bangkok.
If you are here, think whether it is essential for you to be travelling around the city in the current environment Quinton QuayleBritish ambassador British embassy in Bangkok shuts In Pictures: Bangkok violence Thai protests: Eyewitness accounts
"They are tightening a noose on us but we will fight to the end, brothers and sisters," one protest leader, Nattawut Saikua, told a cheering crowd, reports news agency Reuters."They are tightening a noose on us but we will fight to the end, brothers and sisters," one 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.Guards were seen at the sprawling protest site armed with slingshots and arrows.
He immediately dropped to the ground, his eyes were open, but he was expressionless and his body wasn't moving at all Thomas FullerNew York Times journalistDescribing moment general was shot class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8681988.stm">In Pictures: Bangkok violence class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8681824.stm">Thai protests: Eyewitness accounts class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8681601.stm">British embassy in Bangkok shuts The authorities have also begun to cut public transport and some mobile phone services to the area occupied by the protesters, most of whom are rural poor.
The authorities have also begun to cut public transport and some mobile phone services to the area occupied by the protesters.
With their own supplies of water and food, the protesters appear braced for a long siege, says our correspondent.With their own supplies of water and food, the protesters appear braced for a long siege, says our correspondent.
One demonstrator was shot dead on Thursday night after a group of red-shirts confronted security forces on the outskirts of the encampment.
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, 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.
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' Profile: Thailand's reds and yellowsKHATTIYA 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' Profile: Thailand's reds and yellows
A New York Times journalist, Thomas Fuller, was interviewing the general at the moment the shot rang out near the Silom business area.A New York Times journalist, Thomas Fuller, was interviewing the general at the moment the shot rang out near the Silom business area.
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."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 Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections.
He had offered polls in 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 in 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.
Thailand's worst political unrest in nearly two decades has left some 30 people dead and more than 1,400 wounded.Thailand's worst political unrest in nearly two decades has left some 30 people dead and more than 1,400 wounded.
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.
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