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Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Thai soldiers spray gunfire, tear gas at protest By AMBIKA AHUJA and GRANT PECK,Associated Press Writers AP - Tuesday, April 14 BANGKOK - Thousands of Thai troops, firing automatic weapons and tear gas, forced anti-government protesters rampaging across Bangkok to retreat Monday to their main encampment ringing the seat of government. The demonstrators said they were prepared for a "final stand." ADVERTISEMENT In a major escalation of Thailand's ongoing turmoil, protesters and combat troops locked in a series of tense confrontations and cat-and-mouse chases for 12 hours. At least 79 people were reported injured. The army spokesman said troops fired blank bullets into the crowds and live shots overhead. As evening fell, some of the 6,000 troops deployed in Bangkok began moving toward Government House, where the protesters have been holding out since March 26. An estimated 5,000 of the demonstrators were gathered in the Government House area. "This will be our final stand. I beg that you return here and face them together," protest leader Jatuporn Phromphan shouted from a platform near the seat of government. "We will use peaceful means and stay right here to end their violence." Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said troops were narrowing the area of unrest. "It's going to take time, and we are trying to cause as little loss as possible." Hundreds of soldiers and police assembled at the Royal Plaza, about a mile (less than 2 kilometers) from the Government House confronting about 100 female protesters who knelt down and screamed "Please stop, brothers." Some hugged the soldiers. "I don't mind dying right here if it means we become a real democracy. You can kill me right here. I am not here to cause trouble. I just want my rights," said Tanyawalai Wongsuriyaneth, 46, a female protester returning to join the rally at Government House. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying his four-month-old government came to power illegally. Earlier, the protesters were stationed at a half-dozen points in Bangkok, defying government-imposed state-of-emergency measures that ban gatherings of more than five people. Protesters commandeered public buses to block several key intersections, set tires and vehicles on fire and sent two unmanned buses, one of them burning, hurtling toward lines of soldiers. The bus swerved and then ricocheted off trees on the side of the road before coming to a halt, with no one injured. The other bus also crashed without injuring anyone. In one of several confrontations, a line of troops in full battle gear fired volleys of M-16 fire, most of it aimed above the heads of protesters and turned water cannons on the crowd near Victory Monument, a major traffic circle. Armed forces chief Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatara said on nationwide television that soldiers would use "every means to end the chaos" but employ weapons only for self-defense and not "excessively." In contrast to a complete security breakdown over the weekend, where a 16-nation Asian summit was canceled after demonstrators stormed the venue, security forces began to take action. "The shots fired into the crowd were blank bullets. The heads are made of paper, so it only causes sound. We use these when protesters head toward soldiers to push them back. Those fired into the air are real bullets," said Sansern, the army spokesman. The red-shirted demonstrators are supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and want new elections and Abhisit's ouster. They accuse the country's elite _ the military, judiciary and other unelected officials _ of undermining democracy by interfering in politics. In an interview with CNN on Monday, Thaksin accused the military of lying about firing blank bullets into the crowd, saying soldiers used live ammunition, killed protesters and dragged away their bodies. "They shot people. Many died. Many people were injured," he said. "I would like to urge every party that comes together to gather peacefully. War never ended with war," said Thaksin, who a day earlier phoned-in to a rally of supporters and called for a "revolution." Political tensions have simmered since Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power. He remains popular in the impoverished countryside for his populist policies. His opponents _ many in urban areas _ took to the streets last year to help bring down two governments led by his allies, seizing Bangkok's two airports in November for about a week. Parliament then appointed Abhisit in December after a court ordered the removal of the previous pro-Thaksin government citing fraud in the 2007 elections. Thaksin supporters took to the streets in protest, and their numbers grew to 100,000 in Bangkok last week. Abhisit appealed Monday to the demonstrators to return to their homes, saying the government was using "the softest measures possible" against them. "All the work I am doing is not to create fear or put pressure or to harm any group of people. It's a step by step process to restore order and stop violence," he said on nationwide television. Monday's first and most serious clash began before dawn, as troops in full combat gear advanced to disperse the protesters, who were occupying a major junction, according to witnesses. At the nearby Century Park Hotel, foreign tourists were seen rushing into taxis and heading for Bangkok's international airport. But others seemed unruffled. "We're from South Africa. We don't scare easy," said Estelle Jones, a tourist from Johannesburg. France, Britain, Australia, the United States, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines were among countries that issued travel advisories Monday, urging citizens to avoid trips to Thailand and for those already in Bangkok to stay in their hotels and away from protests. The U.S. Embassy issued a warden message urging Americans "to avoid the areas of demonstrations and to exercise caution anywhere in Bangkok." Dr. Chatri Charoenchivakul of the Erawan Emergency Coordination Center said at least 70 people were injured, most of them from tear gas, while two soldiers and two civilians suffered from gunshot wounds. Another nine people were injured in clashes elsewhere, he said. Monday marked the beginning of the Thai New Year, normally the country's most joyous holiday. The Bangkok municipal government canceled all its festivities, but despite the rioting many Thais and foreign tourists began engaging in the ritualistic water throwing and general partying. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article 0 users recommend Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific An overview of Thailand's political turmoilAP - 1 hour 3 minutes ago 2 kinds of chaos in Bangkok: new year and protestsAP - 1 hour 17 minutes ago India's Tech Mahindra trumps rivals to win SatyamAFP - 1 hour 31 minutes ago China to build subway to terracotta warrior museumAFP - 1 hour 42 minutes ago Afghan villagers say NATO strike kills 6 civiliansAP - 2 hours 1 minute ago Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Mummies found in ancient Egypt burial chamber Harry Potter actor arrested over cannabis find Swedish church unveils Lego Jesus statue for Easter US govt tells GM to prepare for bankruptcy filing Soldiers get a taste of Afghanistan in US training View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! 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