Worst street fighting in Thailand since 1992 … anti-Government protesters rest yesterday.Photo: APThe Sydney Morning Herald.
October 9, 2008
BANGKOK: Soldiers stood guard on street corners yesterday as an uneasy calm returned to Bangkok a day after fierce clashes between anti-Government protesters and police left at least two killed and more than 400 injured.
The Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, sought to reassure foreign diplomats about the country's deepening political crisis, saying "my Government is still able to run the country".
He justified the use of tear gas against protesters as the "international standard" for restoring civil order.
There was no sign of renewed street clashes yesterday between police and urban protesters who want sweeping electoral changes to prevent what they say are corrupt politicians exploiting the rural majority to take power. But Thailand's heated political crisis was far from over.
Troops armed with batons and helmets were stationed at the Bangkok police headquarters near Parliament. A day earlier, anti-Government protesters barricaded the building and trapped MPs inside for several hours as police outside fired volleys of tear gas trying to clear the area.
"We will continue to fight until Somchai resigns," one of the protest leaders, Pipop Thongchai, said. "He has lost the credibility to run the country, he has to take responsibility for the dead and injured."
Hundreds of workers swept the streets around Parliament that were littered with burnt-out cars and debris from the rioting that degenerated into Thailand's worst political violence in more than 16 years.
At least five major confrontations with police left 423 protesters and 20 police injured, medical authorities said.
Both sides accuse the other of having used vicious tactics in Tuesday's clashes. Somsak Kosaisuk, a protest leader, accused the Government of using "weapons of war" against peaceful protesters.
Questions have arisen over whether tear gas canisters could blow off limbs and toes and feet, some of the more gruesome injuries suffered by protesters.
Demonstrators accused police of using grenades; authorities denied it and say they only used tear gas on the crowd.
An Associated Press photographer, David Longstreath, said that despite the police denial he saw stun grenades being thrown into the crowds.
Protesters, meanwhile, say their gathering was peaceful, but many used iron rods, slingshots, firecrackers and bottles to attack police. Though many protesters were unarmed, one reporter saw at least three protesters carrying guns. Authorities say some protesters also had explosives.
Another reporter saw two police inside the parliamentary compound who had been shot by unknown assailants.
Mr Somchai visited the Police General Hospital yesterday morning to meet people injured in the clashes the day before.
The street fighting was the worst in Thailand since 1992, when the army killed dozens of pro-democracy demonstrators seeking the ouster of a military-backed government.
It was the latest twist in six weeks of political tumult that has spooked investors and scared off tourists to Thailand.
Mr Somchai, who was sworn in last month, was targeted by protesters who surrounded Parliament trying to prevent him from delivering his maiden policy speech and from leaving. He escaped the building by climbing over a side fence, Thai media reported.
Associated Press
October 9, 2008
BANGKOK: Soldiers stood guard on street corners yesterday as an uneasy calm returned to Bangkok a day after fierce clashes between anti-Government protesters and police left at least two killed and more than 400 injured.
The Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, sought to reassure foreign diplomats about the country's deepening political crisis, saying "my Government is still able to run the country".
He justified the use of tear gas against protesters as the "international standard" for restoring civil order.
There was no sign of renewed street clashes yesterday between police and urban protesters who want sweeping electoral changes to prevent what they say are corrupt politicians exploiting the rural majority to take power. But Thailand's heated political crisis was far from over.
Troops armed with batons and helmets were stationed at the Bangkok police headquarters near Parliament. A day earlier, anti-Government protesters barricaded the building and trapped MPs inside for several hours as police outside fired volleys of tear gas trying to clear the area.
"We will continue to fight until Somchai resigns," one of the protest leaders, Pipop Thongchai, said. "He has lost the credibility to run the country, he has to take responsibility for the dead and injured."
Hundreds of workers swept the streets around Parliament that were littered with burnt-out cars and debris from the rioting that degenerated into Thailand's worst political violence in more than 16 years.
At least five major confrontations with police left 423 protesters and 20 police injured, medical authorities said.
Both sides accuse the other of having used vicious tactics in Tuesday's clashes. Somsak Kosaisuk, a protest leader, accused the Government of using "weapons of war" against peaceful protesters.
Questions have arisen over whether tear gas canisters could blow off limbs and toes and feet, some of the more gruesome injuries suffered by protesters.
Demonstrators accused police of using grenades; authorities denied it and say they only used tear gas on the crowd.
An Associated Press photographer, David Longstreath, said that despite the police denial he saw stun grenades being thrown into the crowds.
Protesters, meanwhile, say their gathering was peaceful, but many used iron rods, slingshots, firecrackers and bottles to attack police. Though many protesters were unarmed, one reporter saw at least three protesters carrying guns. Authorities say some protesters also had explosives.
Another reporter saw two police inside the parliamentary compound who had been shot by unknown assailants.
Mr Somchai visited the Police General Hospital yesterday morning to meet people injured in the clashes the day before.
The street fighting was the worst in Thailand since 1992, when the army killed dozens of pro-democracy demonstrators seeking the ouster of a military-backed government.
It was the latest twist in six weeks of political tumult that has spooked investors and scared off tourists to Thailand.
Mr Somchai, who was sworn in last month, was targeted by protesters who surrounded Parliament trying to prevent him from delivering his maiden policy speech and from leaving. He escaped the building by climbing over a side fence, Thai media reported.
Associated Press
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