Young Aussie injured in Bangkok clashes

A young Australian man, who was hospitalised after a bomb blast during violent
protests in Bangkok, says he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Benjamin Rowse, 26, from Melbourne, was injured on Thursday when a bomb exploded at
the Sala Daeng skytrain station in the Thai capital.
The violence was the result of clashes between local pro-government and
anti-government protesters.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman told AAP on Friday that Mr
Rowse was treated for minor injuries at the Bangkok Christian Hospital.
"Consular staff from the Australian Embassy in Bangkok visited him at the hospital
on April 22, to provide him with consular assistance," the spokeswoman said.
Mr Rowse has been in contact with his family, who have also been offered consular
assistance.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Rowse said he was about to board a train when the
explosion occurred.
He told the Nine Network he "saw all the army and thought maybe it's not a good
place to be" but put the incident down to being in the wrong place at the wrong
time.
Mr Rowse's father Steve said he and his wife felt relieved.
"We're just relieved that it's not worse, but still (feel) just a bit dazed as to
the events that have occurred," he said.
Mr Rowse was injured when a series of grenade blasts ripped through a pro-government
rally in Bangkok, killing three people and wounding more than 70.
The unrest stems from protests by anti-government 'Red Shirt' demonstrators, who are
concentrated in the Bangkok city centre.
Australians have been warned to reconsider travel to Thailand because of
deteriorating security.
DFAT said renewed violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces remained
a strong possibility in Bangkok.
"We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Thailand due to the recent
deterioration in the security environment caused by widening political unrest and
civil disorder occurring in Bangkok and other parts of the country," an updated
department advisory said.



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