Saturday, May 15, 2010

Bangkok - War Zone

War Zone
- Seven civilians die, 101 hurt in crackdown - CRES allows troops to fire live ammunition - Reds fight back with rockets, petrol bombs

* Published: 15/05/2010 at 12:00 AM in Bangkok Post
* Newspaper section: News

Seven civilians have died in clashes between United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters and security officers in downtown Bangkok.

Clashes started late yesterday morning and continued throughout the afternoon at the Witthayu intersection, the Thai-Belgium Bridge, Lumpini police station, Ratchaprarop Road, Din Daeng intersection, Silom Road and Soi Sala Daeng.

Soldiers used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds against protesters, who retaliated using home-made rockets and Molotov cocktails to block advancing soldiers and by setting fire to a bus.

The sound of gunfire was heard from both sides.

In the evening, a number of grenade attacks took place on Rama IV and Silom roads.

At least seven red shirt protesters were killed and 101 people were injured yesterday, including three journalists and several soldiers.

Two people reportedly died during the afternoon clashes, while three were killed by grenade explosions on Rama IV Road and at Sala Daeng intersection.

Heavy gunfire and grenade explosions were reported in the Ratchaprarop area late last night, resulting in several injuries.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation gave soldiers authority to fire live rounds at the lower bodies of attacking protesters.

Soldiers capture red shirt protesters in the Bon Kai area.

A red shirt supporter strips to his underwear to show soldiers he is unarmed near Lumpini boxing stadium.

A protester throws a petrol bomb at advancing troops on Rama IV Road.

Protesters set fire to tyres to keep security forces away near the Witthayu intersection on Rama IV Road.

A novice monk floats a lantern to keep helicopters away from the Ratchaprasong protest site.

Red shirts shoot flares across Rama IV Road to repel soldiers.

RIGHT Foreigners photograph soldiers in action in the Makkasan area.

Red shirts batter an army truck near Din Daeng junction and let out air from its tyres. They reportedly assaulted the soldiers in the truck.

A vendor in the Bon Kai area takes cover under a plastic stool as troops clash with protesters.

A red shirt protester lashes out at soldiers deployed on Ratchaprarop Road yesterday.

Armed soldiers take up lookout posts at buildings on Rama 4 Road.

Rapid-deployment soldiers on a motorcycle aim a gun at protesters.

Soldiers fire rubber bullets at protesters in the Bon Kai area.

Red shirt protesters take over a military truck with one of them aiming a kick at a soldier who has his arms pinned.

Soldiers take up position as anti-government protesters burn tyres near Bon Kai intersection yesterday. Security forces tried to push protesters back, sparking sporadic clashes.

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