ID :
115951
Sat, 04/10/2010 - 23:19
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http://m.oananews.org//node/115951
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8 dead; military seeks truce after fierce clashes
BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) - Eight people have been confirmed dead, including one Japanese journalist, during clashes Saturday night between government security forces and anti-government protesters that so far have left nearly 500 injured, while a Thai army spokesman announced that truce talks are being sought and troops have retreated.
Bangkok Municipality-operated BMA General Hospital director Dr Pichaya Nakwatchara, said the Japanese journalist, identified as Mr Hiroyuki Muramoto, worked for the Thomson Reuters news agency.
Earlier, protesters paraded the body of Sawat Wanagam, 43, a red shirt defence guard who was dead from severe head injuries, carrying him to their protest site.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on national television Saturday night that Prime Minister&8217;s Secretary-General Korbsak Sabhavasu has been assigned to coordinate with the Red Shirt leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to seek a truce.
Col Sansern said the protesters used live bullets, M67 and M79 grenades as well as gas cylinder-induced bombs against security forces.
Shortly afterwards, Mr Natthawut told the red-shirted activists to return to their main protest site at Phan Fa Bridge and prepare for truce talks with the government.
The security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the red-shirted demonstrators during clashes at Phan Fa Bridge and Rajdamnoen Road in Bangkok.
It was the first major operation of the security forces aimed at ending month-long protests of the UDD red-shirts.
The protesters fought back by throwing objects, including firebombs, at the military.
Cashes continued for more than hour and were intensifying, despite the attempt to bring a halt to the increasingly violent encounters.
Most of the injuries came from tear gas and rubber bullets.
Natthawut Saikua and Arisman Pongreungrong who were at the Ratchaprasong intersection had moved one third of the Red Shirt from that site to Phan
Fa bridge to help their fellow protesters and protect the protest site.
They also called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve House immediately instead of in 15 days as earlier demand and asked him to leave the country.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Panitan Wattanayagorn confirmed that M-79 grenades were fired at Government House, one grenade damaged a building, while another one failed to explode.
He said the authorities were investigating the incident and evaluating the damage. (TNA)
Bangkok Municipality-operated BMA General Hospital director Dr Pichaya Nakwatchara, said the Japanese journalist, identified as Mr Hiroyuki Muramoto, worked for the Thomson Reuters news agency.
Earlier, protesters paraded the body of Sawat Wanagam, 43, a red shirt defence guard who was dead from severe head injuries, carrying him to their protest site.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on national television Saturday night that Prime Minister&8217;s Secretary-General Korbsak Sabhavasu has been assigned to coordinate with the Red Shirt leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to seek a truce.
Col Sansern said the protesters used live bullets, M67 and M79 grenades as well as gas cylinder-induced bombs against security forces.
Shortly afterwards, Mr Natthawut told the red-shirted activists to return to their main protest site at Phan Fa Bridge and prepare for truce talks with the government.
The security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the red-shirted demonstrators during clashes at Phan Fa Bridge and Rajdamnoen Road in Bangkok.
It was the first major operation of the security forces aimed at ending month-long protests of the UDD red-shirts.
The protesters fought back by throwing objects, including firebombs, at the military.
Cashes continued for more than hour and were intensifying, despite the attempt to bring a halt to the increasingly violent encounters.
Most of the injuries came from tear gas and rubber bullets.
Natthawut Saikua and Arisman Pongreungrong who were at the Ratchaprasong intersection had moved one third of the Red Shirt from that site to Phan
Fa bridge to help their fellow protesters and protect the protest site.
They also called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve House immediately instead of in 15 days as earlier demand and asked him to leave the country.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister Panitan Wattanayagorn confirmed that M-79 grenades were fired at Government House, one grenade damaged a building, while another one failed to explode.
He said the authorities were investigating the incident and evaluating the damage. (TNA)
