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55241
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 22:18
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Violent clashes claim first casualty; Deputy PM warns of possible riots
BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) - Thailand's violent clashes have claimed a first casualty Monday evening, with Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Sathit Wongnongtoey saying a man had been gunned down in Bangkok's Nang Lerng area Monday evening after a street gunbattle.
The man identified as Mr. Pom, 54, was among local residents who clashed with anti-government protesters, Mr. Sathit told a local television station, adding that red-shirt protesters had fired at the residents, also injuring two other people.
The deadly violence occurred after Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban appealed to the Thai public to stay vigilant, as he feared red-shirted protesters might plan to unleash yet more rioting Monday night.
The latest reports brought the first fatality in the street battles. The latest injury toll from the day's violence was reported at 94 people injured, including soldiers, according to the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand.
Addressing the nation through telecast, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep who’s in charge of security chronicled violent incidents and riots by the Red Shirts seeking ouster of the government, starting from disruption of the ASEAN summit meetings in Pattaya on April 11, the attack on Mr. Nipon Prompan, secretary-general to the Prime Minister at the Interior Ministry on Sunday and blockades in several of Bangkok’s major streets.
Mr. Suthep commended the performance of law enforcement officials who have successfully worked together to seize the roads back from protesters, without fatalities.
“Despite these efforts to this evening, the government remains concerned. We would like therefore to inform the people in Bangkok that we are afraid rioters may unleash acts of sabotage such as arson, bomb attacks in many areas. The people can help by being the government’s eyes and ears, so that we can work better. Still, there is no need to panic. We just want to exercise maximum caution,” he said.
The protesters earlier retreated to gather outside the gates of Government House following a day of clashes with security forces which injured 94 people, while troops secured key intersections in the capital.
Prior to Mr. Suthep’s address to the nation, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra gave an interview to CNN, accusing the government of covering up “deaths” among protesters as a result of security operations.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier asserted that no one died in the military operation to open traffic to the public early Monday.
The premier also urged protesters at Government House to return home to let the responsible government personnel to carry out their duties as the government will try to ease the tensions and bring back peace.
"If you want to help the government to bring peace back to our country, you can go back to your homes so we can create a good, strong, peaceful society together," said the prime minister.
Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd reaffirmed no one was killed as troops fired blank bullets into the crowds and live shots overhead.
Following the security forces’ operation, Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara as director of the newly-established Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), vowed the military would use every possible means to restore order and would not use force against protesters, but only for self-defence.
"We will not use weapons to hurt people. We are aware that everyone is Thai. We respect their rights. We reserve the right to use weapons for self-defence," Gen. Songkitti said. (TNA)
The man identified as Mr. Pom, 54, was among local residents who clashed with anti-government protesters, Mr. Sathit told a local television station, adding that red-shirt protesters had fired at the residents, also injuring two other people.
The deadly violence occurred after Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban appealed to the Thai public to stay vigilant, as he feared red-shirted protesters might plan to unleash yet more rioting Monday night.
The latest reports brought the first fatality in the street battles. The latest injury toll from the day's violence was reported at 94 people injured, including soldiers, according to the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand.
Addressing the nation through telecast, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep who’s in charge of security chronicled violent incidents and riots by the Red Shirts seeking ouster of the government, starting from disruption of the ASEAN summit meetings in Pattaya on April 11, the attack on Mr. Nipon Prompan, secretary-general to the Prime Minister at the Interior Ministry on Sunday and blockades in several of Bangkok’s major streets.
Mr. Suthep commended the performance of law enforcement officials who have successfully worked together to seize the roads back from protesters, without fatalities.
“Despite these efforts to this evening, the government remains concerned. We would like therefore to inform the people in Bangkok that we are afraid rioters may unleash acts of sabotage such as arson, bomb attacks in many areas. The people can help by being the government’s eyes and ears, so that we can work better. Still, there is no need to panic. We just want to exercise maximum caution,” he said.
The protesters earlier retreated to gather outside the gates of Government House following a day of clashes with security forces which injured 94 people, while troops secured key intersections in the capital.
Prior to Mr. Suthep’s address to the nation, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra gave an interview to CNN, accusing the government of covering up “deaths” among protesters as a result of security operations.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier asserted that no one died in the military operation to open traffic to the public early Monday.
The premier also urged protesters at Government House to return home to let the responsible government personnel to carry out their duties as the government will try to ease the tensions and bring back peace.
"If you want to help the government to bring peace back to our country, you can go back to your homes so we can create a good, strong, peaceful society together," said the prime minister.
Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd reaffirmed no one was killed as troops fired blank bullets into the crowds and live shots overhead.
Following the security forces’ operation, Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara as director of the newly-established Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), vowed the military would use every possible means to restore order and would not use force against protesters, but only for self-defence.
"We will not use weapons to hurt people. We are aware that everyone is Thai. We respect their rights. We reserve the right to use weapons for self-defence," Gen. Songkitti said. (TNA)
