Thai PM denies death reports, urges protesters to go home

BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asserted on Monday that no one has died from the clash between government troops and anti-government protesters early Monday morning, and urged protesters at Government House to return home as the government is trying to enforce the law and maintain the law and public order.

Mr. Abhisit, speaking on national television, said there were 23 military and 47 protesters injured in the clash, but emphasised that nobody died during the military operation to open traffic in Bangkok's Din Daeng area.

He added that four soldiers had been shot, wounded by bullets, and were under treatment at hospital.

The prime minister said the government continued to maintain law and order as announced earlier. Government security personnel, including both army and police, had opened the road at Din Daeng intersection which was blocked by the protesters.

The troops had used the most gentle practice to handle the protesters, any arms would be used only to protect themselves, he said.

Mr. Abhisit also urged protesters currently investing Government House to go home and to let the responsible government personnel to carry out their duties as the government will try to ease the tensions and bring back peace.

The government will only allow peaceful demonstration to be carried out under the terms of the Constitution, he added.

The prime minister reaffirmed to the public that it should be confident that the government is trying to restore order as soon as possible. (TNA)