5 killed in Wednesday clashes between troops and Red Shirts

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) - At least five people died, including an Italian journalist, while over 50 others were wounded in clashes between troops and anti-government Red Shirt guards as the army approached the movement's central rally site in Bangkok's prime commercial area Wednesday morning.

The army successfully plowed through the Red Shirt barricades at Sala Deang intersection, reclaiming the vital crossroads for the government, following the security operation which began early Wednesday morning.

Lumpini Park is now under control of the troops, following intense gunfighting between hardliner Red Shirts and the soldiers.

Army personnel also occupied Wireless Road Wednesday morning and destroyed suspected explosive devices and Red Shirt barricades there.

After troops entered the Kian Gwan Building on Wireless Road, 14 protesters were arrested; 12 men and two women, armed with varied weapons, including rifles, handguns and ammunition, fireworks, knives, metal pipes, fuel supplies and a 200 litres petrol tank.

Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister spoke on national television Wednesday that the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES) confirmed that the army succeeded in taking over Lumpini area and is now extending the security operation to further reduce the protest area.

Acting government spokesman Panitan also said some Red Shirt leaders escaped from the Ratchaprasong compound, and urged the public to give CRES any relevant information regarding their locations.

Key Red Shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong reportedly successfully escaped from Ratchaprasong rally site despite army blockades. (TNA)