Gunmen open fire on Bangkok protesters

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/11/gunmen-open-fire-bangkok-protesters-thailand

Version 0 of 1.

Seven people have been wounded after gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on anti-government protesters in Bangkok.

The shootings raised fears of increased violence when anti-government protesters attempt to "shut down" the capital next week to try to bring down the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra

The gunmen opened fire on protesters in central Bangkok at around 2am on Saturday, and at least one other attack took place nearby, police said.

"Unidentified assailants opened fire in the early hours of this morning … at an intersection near the Khao San Road tourist area. Altogether seven people were injured, most of them anti-government protesters," said the national police chief, Adul Saengsingkaew.

The attack came just hours after clashes between government supporters and protesters outside Bangkok that left at least six people hurt.

The incidents occurred as authorities were drawing up plans to deploy more than 14,000 troops and police on Bangkok's streets from Monday. From then protesters led by the former opposition politician Suthep Thaugsuban aim to paralyse the city for 15 to 20 days.

The turmoil is the latest episode in an eight-year conflict that pits Bangkok's middle class and royalist establishment against the mostly poorer, rural supporters of the prime minister and her brother, the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a military coup in 2006.

The protesters accuse the Shinawatra family of corruption and nepotism. Yingluck called a snap election for 2 February but this failed to placate protesters, who want her government to resign to make way for an unelected people's council to oversee political reform.

Many Thais believe the military will soon step in to break the political deadlock, especially if the protests turn more violent, and rumours of an impending coup have intensified.

The army has attempted or successfully staged 18 coups in 81 years, but it has tried to remain neutral this time.

The country's top general called for calm ahead of the city-wide protests and ordered troops to stay neutral in the crisis. "All sides must act in a way that causes the least disturbance to Bangkok residents," said Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.