ID :
122284
Sat, 05/15/2010 - 16:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/122284
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BANGKOK DEATH TOLL RISES AMID BLOODY RED-SHIRT CLASHES
Baku, May 15 (AzerTAc). Thai troops are clashing with anti-government protesters in the capital Bangkok, on a third day of violence that has killed at least 16 people.
Plumes of smoke are rising from sections of the city centre, where the protesters, who want the prime minister to resign, are barricaded in a camp.
Authorities have ruled out negotiations with the red-shirt protesters. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged both protesters and the authorities to avoid further violence.
His office said he "strongly encourages them to urgently return to dialogue in order to de-escalate the situation and resolve matters peacefully".
The US has also urged restraint and encouraged the two sides "to find a way to work peacefully through these differences". Despite claims by the Thai government that the situation is under control and its soldiers have only fired in self-defence, explosions and sporadic gunfire can still be heard around the protest site, where barricades of tyres are still burning.
Plumes of smoke are rising from sections of the city centre, where the protesters, who want the prime minister to resign, are barricaded in a camp.
Authorities have ruled out negotiations with the red-shirt protesters. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged both protesters and the authorities to avoid further violence.
His office said he "strongly encourages them to urgently return to dialogue in order to de-escalate the situation and resolve matters peacefully".
The US has also urged restraint and encouraged the two sides "to find a way to work peacefully through these differences". Despite claims by the Thai government that the situation is under control and its soldiers have only fired in self-defence, explosions and sporadic gunfire can still be heard around the protest site, where barricades of tyres are still burning.
