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Thailand government supporter shot as Bangkok state of emergency begins Thailand government supporter shot as Bangkok state of emergency begins
(about 2 hours later)
A pro-government leader was shot and wounded on Wednesday in Thailand's north-east - a stronghold of the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, as a state of emergency began in and around Bangkok, where protesters are trying to force her to resign.A pro-government leader was shot and wounded on Wednesday in Thailand's north-east - a stronghold of the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, as a state of emergency began in and around Bangkok, where protesters are trying to force her to resign.
The government issued the 60-day emergency decree late on Tuesday, handing security agencies wide-ranging powers to detain suspects, impose a curfew and limit gatherings.The government issued the 60-day emergency decree late on Tuesday, handing security agencies wide-ranging powers to detain suspects, impose a curfew and limit gatherings.
Officials said it was aimed at preventing an escalation of the protests that have gripped the capital for more than two months and brought parts of the centre to a halt. Officials said the decree was aimed at preventing an escalation of the protests that have gripped the capital for more than two months and brought parts of the centre to a halt.
Bangkok appeared normal and people were going about their business as usual with police making no attempt to break up the protests, including one outside a complex where Yingluck was working.Bangkok appeared normal and people were going about their business as usual with police making no attempt to break up the protests, including one outside a complex where Yingluck was working.
But highlighting the risk of the political deadlock turning violent, "red shirt" leader Kwanchai Praipana, who had warned of a nationwide fight if the military launched a coup, was wounded in the arm and leg in a drive-by shooting at his home in the north-eastern town of Udon Thani.But highlighting the risk of the political deadlock turning violent, "red shirt" leader Kwanchai Praipana, who had warned of a nationwide fight if the military launched a coup, was wounded in the arm and leg in a drive-by shooting at his home in the north-eastern town of Udon Thani.
"From the way the assailants fired, they obviously didn't want him to live," his wife, Arporn Sarakham, told Reuters."From the way the assailants fired, they obviously didn't want him to live," his wife, Arporn Sarakham, told Reuters.
Kwanchai Praipana leads thousands of pro-government supporters in Udon Thani province.Kwanchai Praipana leads thousands of pro-government supporters in Udon Thani province.
On Tuesday, he told Reuters that if the military attempted a coup: "I can assure you, on behalf of the 20 provinces in the north-east, that we will fight. The country will be set alight if the soldiers come out."On Tuesday, he told Reuters that if the military attempted a coup: "I can assure you, on behalf of the 20 provinces in the north-east, that we will fight. The country will be set alight if the soldiers come out."
So far the military, which has been involved in 18 actual or attempted coups in the past 81 years, has kept out of the fray. The police are charged with imposing the state of emergency, under orders from Yingluck to treat protesters against her government with patience. So far the military, which has been involved in 18 actual or attempted coups in the past 81 years, has kept out of the fray. The police are charged with imposing the state of emergency, but are under orders from Yingluck to treat protesters against her government with patience.
"We will try our best," army chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha told reporters. "We will try our best," army chief Prayuth Chan-Ocha told reporters. "But if any violence erupts and no one can solve it, the troops will have to step in and tackle it. We will look after our nation with the right methods. We will not lead the nation into any violence."
"But if any violence erupts and no one can solve it, the troops will have to step in and tackle it. We will look after our nation with the right methods. We will not lead the nation into any violence."
Nine people have died and dozens have been wounded in violence, including two grenade attacks in the capital over the weekend, since protesters took to the streets in November to demand Yingluck step down and a "people's council" be set up to bring sweeping reforms to south-east Asia's second-biggest economy.Nine people have died and dozens have been wounded in violence, including two grenade attacks in the capital over the weekend, since protesters took to the streets in November to demand Yingluck step down and a "people's council" be set up to bring sweeping reforms to south-east Asia's second-biggest economy.
The protests are the latest eruption in a political conflict that has gripped the country for eight years. It pits the middle class of Bangkok and royalist establishment against the mainly poorer supporters of Yingluck and her brother, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, toppled by the military in 2006. The protests are the latest eruption in a political conflict that has gripped the country for eight years. It pits the middle class of Bangkok and royalist establishment against the mainly poorer supporters of Yingluck and her brother, ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by the military in 2006.
"We will oust the government. This government lacks the right to rule the country. It is an illegal government," protest leader Chumpol Chulsai told hundreds of demonstrators outside the complex where Yingluck has a temporary office."We will oust the government. This government lacks the right to rule the country. It is an illegal government," protest leader Chumpol Chulsai told hundreds of demonstrators outside the complex where Yingluck has a temporary office.
The election commission said it would seek a ruling from the constitutional court on Wednesday on whether it can delay the 2 February election called by Yingluck. It is worried about violence on polling day and says the protests have prevented some candidates from registering, meaning there will not be a quorum to open parliament. The election commission said it would seek a ruling from the constitutional court on Wednesday on whether it could delay the 2 February election called by Yingluck. It is worried about violence on polling day and says the protests have prevented some candidates from registering, meaning there will not be a quorum to open parliament.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected the election outright. He accuses Thaksin of corruption and nepotism and wants to change the electoral system to eradicate the influence of Thaksin, who lives in exile in Dubai to avoid a jail term handed down in 2008 for abuse of power.Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected the election outright. He accuses Thaksin of corruption and nepotism and wants to change the electoral system to eradicate the influence of Thaksin, who lives in exile in Dubai to avoid a jail term handed down in 2008 for abuse of power.