There have been clashes overnight between red shirt anti-government protesters and Thai security forces in the Siam and Silom area of Bangkok. The body responsible for the security operation, Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), has announced that the Thai authorities are in control of the situation. One person has died and at least 30 have been injured during the latest outbreak of violence in Bangkok.
The clashes followed the shooting of a militant red shirt supporter close to the protest site in central Bangkok. Major General Katthiya Sawasdiphol, known as Seh Daeng, was shot early yesterday evening and remains in a critical condition. The renegade army man was wanted on terrorist charges and is now under police custody in hospital. It’s still unclear who carried out the shooting which took place soon after Thai security forces implemented measures to isolate the red shirt encampment. Red shirt supporters have blamed army snipers but the government has said the military did not carry out the attack. Seh Daeng represents a militant faction of the red shirt movement and had vowed to help the red shirts to fight and topple the government. Seh Daeng’s militant outlook was at odds with the more moderate red shirt leaders who had been willing to end the protest and accept the government offer of November elections. Reports continue to emerge that following last night’s developments, a number of the moderate members of the UDD (United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship) have resigned their positions, including core leader Veera Musikhapong.
The situation in Bangkok is still tense and more clashes are anticipated today. With road blocks and a security cordon in place, the Thai authorities say they are preventing people from entering the red shirt encampment, but protesters are still being allowed to leave if they wish to do so. A knock-on effect of the road closures and security measures is that a number of foreign embassies in the area are temporarily closed although most will continue to operate telephone hotline services.
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- Contact your Thai Embassy or Consulate
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