18 dead in Bangkok protests
14 civilians and four soldiers have died in Bangkok after military clashes with anti-government protesters. Among the dead is a Japanese cameraman employed by the Reuters news agency. He was apparently shot in the chest.
Democracy Monument was the scene for most of the violence but scuffles also broke out on the Khao San Road which is a favourite haunt for foreign travellers. According to one report a Japanese tourist who happened to be wearing a red t-shirt, the uniform of the demonstrators, was severely beaten by Thai soldiers until bystanders managed to drag him to safety. A Reuters cameraman said that the area around the Khao San Road looked like a war zone.
The protestors who are mostly poorer Thais from rural areas have marched on Bangkok to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajva dissolve the country’s parliament and organise new elections. Mr Vejjajva has told the Red Shirts that he has no intention of standing down and that he and his government had a duty to bring peace to the country.
The Prime Minister sent his condolences to the families of those who have died in the worst violence to be seen in Bangkok for more than twenty years. As well as 18 deaths there are reports that around 650 people have been injured.
The fighting between the military and the Red Shirts continued for several hours yesterday before soldiers decided to retreat and organise an unofficial ceasefire with the protesters. There have been reports in the Thai media that a number of soldiers were taken prisoner by the anti-government Red Shirts.