BANGKOK: Thousands of Thai anti-government protesters clashed with armed soldiers and Bangkok residents yesterday, leaving two dead and 113 injured in street battles that raged across the capital.
Troops unleashed volleys of gunfire and fired tear gas at the red-clad protesters, who sent buses hurtling toward lines of soldiers and torched a government ministry with petrol bombs.
The protesters, loyal to fugitive Premier Thaksin Shinawatra, were forced to retreat to their camp around Government House, the office of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva who has imposed a state of emergency in the capital.
By late evening Vejjajiva was declaring the protests were all but quelled. “This mission has progressed and is nearly complete, and I ask all of the authorities to remain firm,” Abhisit said in a national address, flanked by top brass and Cabinet ministers.
“Most of the unrest has been suppressed, except the rally around Government House,” he said, after earlier warning that protesters should disperse or face the consequences.
Cabinet Minister Satit Wonghnongtaey said that a 54-year-old resident had been shot and killed, while two others were injured.
A private hospital said that a 19-year-old man had died from gunshot wounds and five others were injured.
Bangkok’s police spokesman went on television to show bullet casings recovered from the clash and urged residents not to become vigilantes. “Residents should not be concerned, and must not come out and fight by themselves. The police will take care of security,” he said.
