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| Thailand crisis: Blast targets Bangkok protest rally | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A blast at an anti-government rally in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has injured at least 28 people, amid an ongoing political crisis. | A blast at an anti-government rally in Thailand's capital, Bangkok, has injured at least 28 people, amid an ongoing political crisis. |
| The blast took place at a rally led by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was unhurt. | The blast took place at a rally led by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was unhurt. |
| At least eight people have died since protests, triggered by a controversial amnesty bill, began in November. | At least eight people have died since protests, triggered by a controversial amnesty bill, began in November. |
| The protesters have been blocking major road junctions in Bangkok since Monday and are camped out in some areas. | The protesters have been blocking major road junctions in Bangkok since Monday and are camped out in some areas. |
| They want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who they allege is influenced by her brother, deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra, to step down in place of an unelected "people's council". | They want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who they allege is influenced by her brother, deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra, to step down in place of an unelected "people's council". |
| Ms Yingluck has called elections on 2 February, but the opposition are boycotting the polls. | Ms Yingluck has called elections on 2 February, but the opposition are boycotting the polls. |
| The prime minister has called for restraint and so far security forces have sought to avoid clashes with protesters. | The prime minister has called for restraint and so far security forces have sought to avoid clashes with protesters. |
| But, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok, there are well-armed groups on both sides that appear ready to escalate the violence. | But, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok, there are well-armed groups on both sides that appear ready to escalate the violence. |
| Shots fired | Shots fired |
| A deputy national police spokesman said Friday's incident took place shortly after 13:00 local time (06:00 GMT). Reports suggest an explosive device, most probably a grenade, was thrown from a building. | A deputy national police spokesman said Friday's incident took place shortly after 13:00 local time (06:00 GMT). Reports suggest an explosive device, most probably a grenade, was thrown from a building. |
| "The bomb went off about 30m [100ft] from Suthep and then his bodyguards escorted him back to a rally stage," spokesman Akanat Promphan told AFP news agency. | "The bomb went off about 30m [100ft] from Suthep and then his bodyguards escorted him back to a rally stage," spokesman Akanat Promphan told AFP news agency. |
| Footage from a local television station showed injured people on the ground as medical crew rushed to help. | Footage from a local television station showed injured people on the ground as medical crew rushed to help. |
| In recent days there have been reports of small acts of violence at protest venues, usually in the evening. | In recent days there have been reports of small acts of violence at protest venues, usually in the evening. |
| Shots were fired at protesters from passing motorcycles north of Bangkok earlier on Friday, with no injuries reported. | Shots were fired at protesters from passing motorcycles north of Bangkok earlier on Friday, with no injuries reported. |
| Earlier this week, four undercover police officers were captured by protest guards and badly beaten up. | Earlier this week, four undercover police officers were captured by protest guards and badly beaten up. |
| The protesters have been causing significant disruption in Bangkok since Monday, blocking key intersections in what they are calling a shutdown of the city. | The protesters have been causing significant disruption in Bangkok since Monday, blocking key intersections in what they are calling a shutdown of the city. |
| They say they will remain in place until the government resigns. | They say they will remain in place until the government resigns. |
| On Wednesday Ms Yingluck offered to discuss postponing the polls, but Mr Suthep boycotted the meeting. | On Wednesday Ms Yingluck offered to discuss postponing the polls, but Mr Suthep boycotted the meeting. |
| On Thursday, the country's anti-corruption commission said it was investigating Ms Yingluck in connection with a controversial government rice subsidy scheme. | On Thursday, the country's anti-corruption commission said it was investigating Ms Yingluck in connection with a controversial government rice subsidy scheme. |
| The scheme guarantees Thai rice farmers - key supporters of Ms Yingluck's government - a much higher price than on the global market, but critics say it is too expensive and vulnerable to corruption. | The scheme guarantees Thai rice farmers - key supporters of Ms Yingluck's government - a much higher price than on the global market, but critics say it is too expensive and vulnerable to corruption. |
| If Ms Yingluck is found guilty, she could be forced out of politics. | If Ms Yingluck is found guilty, she could be forced out of politics. |