ID :
55255
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 00:34
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Two dead in Bangkok violent clashes
BANGKOK, April 13 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on Monday night that the situation in the capital was under control following violent clashes between city residents and anti-govenment protesters which have claimed two lives and left more than 100 injured.
In his latest and second televised address of the day, the prime minister said the situation in Bangkok had returned to normal except for the anti government gathering outside Government House.
The premier also warned about possible sabotage of people’s property, key establishments and public utilities.
The government had therefore instructed all authorities concerned to guard against possible untoward incidents, while rapid mobile units would swiftly respond to any situation, he said.
Earlier Monday, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Sathit Wongnongtoey said a man had been gunned down in Bangkok's Nang Lerng area after a street gunbattle with the anti-government protesters.
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.
A private hospital later said a 19-year-old man had died from gunshot wounds and five others were injured.
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 injury toll from the day's violence was reported at 113 people, including soldiers.
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 more than 100 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.
In Washington, the United States said on Monday it condemned the "unacceptable violence" by anti-government protesters in Thailand, according to the Agence France Presse.
"We're watching the situation in Thailand very closely and condemn... this unacceptable violence by the protesters," AFP quoted the State Department spokesman Robert Wood as saying.
He said the United States urged the "protesters and their leaders to forswear additional ... use of violence, to exercise their right to assembly, but... to do so ... peacefully." (TNA)
In his latest and second televised address of the day, the prime minister said the situation in Bangkok had returned to normal except for the anti government gathering outside Government House.
The premier also warned about possible sabotage of people’s property, key establishments and public utilities.
The government had therefore instructed all authorities concerned to guard against possible untoward incidents, while rapid mobile units would swiftly respond to any situation, he said.
Earlier Monday, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Sathit Wongnongtoey said a man had been gunned down in Bangkok's Nang Lerng area after a street gunbattle with the anti-government protesters.
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.
A private hospital later said a 19-year-old man had died from gunshot wounds and five others were injured.
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 injury toll from the day's violence was reported at 113 people, including soldiers.
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 more than 100 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.
In Washington, the United States said on Monday it condemned the "unacceptable violence" by anti-government protesters in Thailand, according to the Agence France Presse.
"We're watching the situation in Thailand very closely and condemn... this unacceptable violence by the protesters," AFP quoted the State Department spokesman Robert Wood as saying.
He said the United States urged the "protesters and their leaders to forswear additional ... use of violence, to exercise their right to assembly, but... to do so ... peacefully." (TNA)
