Fresh clashes, more casualties in Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand (News Today) - At least four people were wounded Saturday when gunfire erupted during clashes between anti-government demonstrators and security forces in the Thai capital, hospital officials said.

The violence came a day after a bitter stand-off between government troops and Red Shirt protesters in downtown Bangkok claimed 17 lives and left 141 people wounded.

Tensions were still running high Saturday, with protesters yelling and screaming as they stood behind barricades of tires, spikes and bamboo poles.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, the acting Thai government spokesman, said troops would continue efforts to reduce the number of protesters.

"In the next few days, they will be stepping up their security measures," he said.

The Thai capital has become an urban fortress under siege and beset by gunfire, tear gas and stone-throwing that boiled over after Thai authorities set a new deadline to seal off the Bangkok intersection where protesters have gathered by the thousands for the past month.

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A government official said Thai forces were slowly getting control of the downtown area, with video footage showing soldiers shooting rounds toward the area with protesters. Among those wounded on Friday was a journalist from a French television station who was shot in the leg.

The government said it was forced to take action after demonstrators disregarded an ultimatum by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to vacate the intersection by Wednesday.

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Wattanayagorn said Friday that security forces who have been the objects of attacks have no choice but to respond.

He told reporters that forces have been dutifully following the rules of engagement, which allow them to use live ammunition to protect themselves and their comrades. He assured Bangkok residents and foreigners that the forces have no intention of harming anyone.

The government, he said, is "very confident" it will be able to "stabilize the situation" and get it "under control very soon." Also, he said the prime minister is looking forward to working with others in hammering out reforms.

The United Front for Democracy, the formal name of the Red Shirt opposition, has been demanding that Abhisit dissolve the lower house of Parliament and call new elections. The Red Shirts support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup.

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Tensions ramped up when Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol -- a renegade general better known as Seh Daeng, which means Red Commander -- was shot and wounded by a sniper's bullet Thursday, leaving him in critical condition.

Source : CNN

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