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Gunmen Wound at Least 35 at Rally in Thailand Gunmen Wound at Least 35 at Rally in Thailand
(7 months later)
BANGKOK — At least 35 people were hurt Saturday night when an antigovernment rally in eastern Thailand was attacked by gunmen, the police said. BANGKOK — At least 35 people were hurt Saturday night when an antigovernment rally in eastern Thailand was attacked by gunmen, the police said.
Assailants in a pickup truck attacked the rally held by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee in the province of Trat, about 180 miles east of Bangkok, said a police official, Lt. Thanabhum Newanit.Assailants in a pickup truck attacked the rally held by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee in the province of Trat, about 180 miles east of Bangkok, said a police official, Lt. Thanabhum Newanit.
The attackers shot into the crowd and two explosive devices went off, he said. It was not clear whether members of the protest group, which uses armed guards, fought back. Hospitals said several of the injured were in intensive care or undergoing surgery.The attackers shot into the crowd and two explosive devices went off, he said. It was not clear whether members of the protest group, which uses armed guards, fought back. Hospitals said several of the injured were in intensive care or undergoing surgery.
Violence linked to protests has increased recently, as demonstrators have clashed with the police and unknown parties have attacked the protest sites, which are mainly in Bangkok, the capital.Violence linked to protests has increased recently, as demonstrators have clashed with the police and unknown parties have attacked the protest sites, which are mainly in Bangkok, the capital.
On Friday night, six people were hurt when unknown attackers threw a grenade into a crowd of protesters in the capital.On Friday night, six people were hurt when unknown attackers threw a grenade into a crowd of protesters in the capital.
In the past three months, 15 people have been killed and hundreds have been injured. The protesters want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign to make way for an appointed interim government that would carry out measures to combat corruption.In the past three months, 15 people have been killed and hundreds have been injured. The protesters want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign to make way for an appointed interim government that would carry out measures to combat corruption.
Thailand has been shaken by sometimes violent political conflict since 2006, when the prime minister at the time, Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms. Yingluck’s brother, was ousted by a military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. Mr. Thaksin’s supporters and opponents have since then taken to the streets for extended periods in a power struggle.Thailand has been shaken by sometimes violent political conflict since 2006, when the prime minister at the time, Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms. Yingluck’s brother, was ousted by a military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. Mr. Thaksin’s supporters and opponents have since then taken to the streets for extended periods in a power struggle.
In 2010, pro-Thaksin demonstrators known as the “red shirts” occupied part of Bangkok for two months. When the army was called out to control them, more than 90 people were killed in violent confrontations.In 2010, pro-Thaksin demonstrators known as the “red shirts” occupied part of Bangkok for two months. When the army was called out to control them, more than 90 people were killed in violent confrontations.
The red shirts have mostly kept a low profile during the current political unrest, but as Ms. Yingluck faces what her supporters feel are unfair court rulings loosening her grip on power, there are fears that they will take to the streets again.The red shirts have mostly kept a low profile during the current political unrest, but as Ms. Yingluck faces what her supporters feel are unfair court rulings loosening her grip on power, there are fears that they will take to the streets again.
Mr. Thaksin and his allies have won every national election since 2001, with his sister taking office in 2011 with a majority of parliamentary seats.Mr. Thaksin and his allies have won every national election since 2001, with his sister taking office in 2011 with a majority of parliamentary seats.
Ms. Yingluck late last year called early elections to try to reaffirm her mandate, but the protesters disrupted polling, which has yet to be completed, leaving Thailand with a caretaker government. She also faces several legal challenges that could oust her from office.Ms. Yingluck late last year called early elections to try to reaffirm her mandate, but the protesters disrupted polling, which has yet to be completed, leaving Thailand with a caretaker government. She also faces several legal challenges that could oust her from office.