ID :
115948
Sat, 04/10/2010 - 19:23
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93 protesters, security personnel wounded in opening movements
BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) -- At least 93 anti-government protesters, military personnel and police were injured Saturday afternoon in clashes on Rachadamnoen Avenue, according to a report issued by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Erawan Medical Centre.
All 93 injured were sent to hospitals -- both government and private hospitals -- in the capital, the report said.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has ordered every hospital to provide treatment to wounded protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who are demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House and call for fresh general election.
The clashes took place at the First Army Region headquarters near the main stage of the UDD, erected on Rachadamnoen Avenue. Tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets were used to prevent the protesters from forcing their way into the First Army Region headquarters, the unit responsible for security in Bangkok and the central provinces.
The clashes took place in the context of the government-imposed the State of Emergency on Wednesday.
The authorities believed that the number of casualties could rise because the government's operation is continuing.
Deputy Secretary General to the prime minister Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government's operation was aimed to bring back normalcy to the country as quickly as possible.
He said the protest was not carried out legally under the Constitution but that the government forces would act under the international practice and legal procedures. All operations would be done with caution and bearing in mind with the rights and safety of the public.
He added that the government has no choice but would act carefully and appropriately.
Dr Panitan, acting government spokesman, said that violators of the law would be arrested under the arrest warrant which have been issued for 24 UDD 'Red Shirt' movement leaders.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that government forces would implement measures progressively from soft to tough against the protesters, but could not specify the time period of each step as the personnel had to evaluate the situation and consider safety as the priority.
He added that some protesters had carried guns because two soldiers at Kok Wua intersection were shot and sent to hospital. As for the military side, he said only officers would carry guns with live ammunition but would be at the last row and would shoot to the air to warn the protesters.
Earlier he said that the government combined forces would try to “dismantle” the main platform of the protestors on Ratchadamnoen Avenue later Saturday.
He said if the attempt succeeds, the combined government forces would then proceed to the UDD platform at Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s prime business area. (TNA)
All 93 injured were sent to hospitals -- both government and private hospitals -- in the capital, the report said.
Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has ordered every hospital to provide treatment to wounded protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who are demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House and call for fresh general election.
The clashes took place at the First Army Region headquarters near the main stage of the UDD, erected on Rachadamnoen Avenue. Tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets were used to prevent the protesters from forcing their way into the First Army Region headquarters, the unit responsible for security in Bangkok and the central provinces.
The clashes took place in the context of the government-imposed the State of Emergency on Wednesday.
The authorities believed that the number of casualties could rise because the government's operation is continuing.
Deputy Secretary General to the prime minister Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government's operation was aimed to bring back normalcy to the country as quickly as possible.
He said the protest was not carried out legally under the Constitution but that the government forces would act under the international practice and legal procedures. All operations would be done with caution and bearing in mind with the rights and safety of the public.
He added that the government has no choice but would act carefully and appropriately.
Dr Panitan, acting government spokesman, said that violators of the law would be arrested under the arrest warrant which have been issued for 24 UDD 'Red Shirt' movement leaders.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that government forces would implement measures progressively from soft to tough against the protesters, but could not specify the time period of each step as the personnel had to evaluate the situation and consider safety as the priority.
He added that some protesters had carried guns because two soldiers at Kok Wua intersection were shot and sent to hospital. As for the military side, he said only officers would carry guns with live ammunition but would be at the last row and would shoot to the air to warn the protesters.
Earlier he said that the government combined forces would try to “dismantle” the main platform of the protestors on Ratchadamnoen Avenue later Saturday.
He said if the attempt succeeds, the combined government forces would then proceed to the UDD platform at Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s prime business area. (TNA)
