Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Thai troops clash with protesters, 1 killed, 19 hurt
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Thai troops clash with protesters, 1 killed, 19 hurt
Reuters - Thursday, April 29
Send
IM Story
Print
By Ambika Ahuja
BANGKOK - Thai troops fired live rounds into charging anti-government protesters in a chaotic clash that killed a soldier and wounded 19 people on a congested highway in Bangkok's suburbs on Wednesday.
In defiance of a state of emergency, about 2,000 "red shirt" protesters left their main protest site in central Bangkok's shopping district on pickup trucks and motorbikes for a "mobile rally" but were halted by a roadblock of troops and riot police.
About 100 protesters who had moved ahead of the main convoy
charged at the security forces, who at first used batons and shields to push them back, witnesses said.
The red shirts hurled stones, shot metal balls from sling-shots and launched fireworks at the cordon of 450 soldiers.
Troops fired back with rubber bullets followed by live rounds, at first in the air and then narrowly over protesters' heads, as onlookers dashed for cover in cars and buses in the traffic-choked area 40 km north of central Bangkok, Reuters photographers and witnesses said.
Three rounds of fighting finally stopped when a powerful tropical rainstorm drenched the area. By nightfall, troops had largely pulled out and many protesters returned to their 3 sq-km fortified encampment in central Bangkok.
Metropolitan police chief Worapong Chiewpreecha said the protesters left behind 62 sets of rocket-propelled M-79 grenades.
State agencies said one soldier was killed and 19 people were wounded. Witnesses said the soldier was shot through his helmet while riding on a motorbike towards security forces, apparently caught in friendly fire. Another soldier was wounded.
The crisis, pitting protesters seeking elections against the embattled, military-backed government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, is now in its seventh week. It has killed 27 people, wounded more than 900, paralysed Bangkok and hurt Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.
"The red shirts were testing the will of the security forces and now we saw that the government is getting serious about this," said Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a professor at Thammasat University.
"But it's hard to pronounce victory for either side from the incident today. There is still a lot of uncertainty."
WIDENING POLITICAL CHASM
The protesters began the day in high spirits, honking horns and singing as they headed for a market 50 km away in a rowdy, provocative procession.
The violence stoked fears of more unrest ahead after grenade attacks last Thursday in Bangkok's business district killed a woman and wounded more than 80 people, and the military's failed attempt to disperse protesters on April 10 killed 25 people.
The crisis is taking a deepening toll on Thailand's economy.
Another three months of protests could shave 0.64 of a percentage point off Thailand's 2010 economic growth forecast of 4.5 percent, according to government forecasters.
Tourism, a major industry that supports six percent of the economy and directly or indirectly employs 15 percent of the country, is crumbling in the face of travel warnings. Arrivals at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport have fallen by a third this month alone, government data show.
Thailand's stock index, an emerging market darling over February and March, has lost more than 3 percent in April, when the protests turned violent, against a 1.8 percent rise in Asia's markets outside of Japan.
The crisis has widened a political chasm between the rural masses and working poor that support the red shirts and what they call a "traditional elite" who have long run Thailand. Thais have rarely been so divided. Anger is building on both sides.
Analysts say a well-armed rogue military element led by retired generals is supporting the protesters and is allied with the red shirts' de facto leader, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. Thai newspapers talk of a looming civil war if neither side backs down.
WALL OF FIRE
Fears of a military crackdown on the occupied shopping district spread almost nightly, only to be dismissed as empty rumours each morning, keeping the city of 15 million in a heightened state of anxiety.
The red shirts' medieval-like, three-metre high barricade in the business district -- built of bamboo staves and tyres -- has been doused with fuel so it can be turned into an explosive wall of fire should security forces try an assault.
Hopes for a negotiated end to the crisis were dashed at the weekend when the British-born, Oxford-educated Abhisit rejected a proposal by the protesters for an election in three months, saying he would not negotiate in the face of threats.
Some within the powerful military appear reluctant to be dragged into battle with civilians, urging a political solution. Army sources say a crackdown on the red shirts could cause high casualties and spill into upscale residential neighbourhoods.
The protesters are demanding immediate elections. Abhisit says he is willing to call elections in December, a year early. Both sides want to be in power during a September reshuffle of the country's powerful military and police forces.
If Thaksin's camp prevails and is governing at the time of the reshuffle, analysts expect big changes including the ousting of generals allied with Thailand's royalist elite, a prospect royalists fear could diminish the power of the monarchy.
With so much at stake, the deadlock could continue for weeks.
The red shirts say Abhisit came to power illegitimately in 2008, heading a coalition cobbled together with the help of the military, after a pro-Thaksin government fell when a court dissolved a party affiliated with him.
Thaksin, a former telecoms tycoon revered by the poor and reviled by Bangkok's elite, was convicted in absentia on corruption-related charges and lives abroad to avoid jail.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Afghans mark anniversary of mujahedeen victory AP - 1 hour 46 minutes ago
Thai authorities, protesters clash; 1 soldier dies AP - 1 hour 49 minutes ago
Malaysians allege graft in French submarine deal AP - 2 hours 3 minutes ago
One dead as Thai troops clash with protesters on highway AFP - 2 hours 9 minutes ago
Leaders of India, Pakistan to hold talks Thursday AP - 2 hours 11 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Upbeat US Fed keeps interest rates on hold
Pressure mounts on Germany to aid Greece
Anand takes lead in 4th game
Russian economy grows 4.5% in first quarter
Russia unveils Katyn wartime massacre archives
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Pressure mounts on Germany to aid Greece
In Senate hearing, Goldman denies bad business
BP's soaring profits overshadowed by oil rig tragedy
Bereaved twin runs for Polish president
Colon exam could slash cancer rates: study
More Most Viewed »
Aliens may exist but contact would hurt: Hawking
Apple engineer loses iPhone prototype
French driving veil row escalates
Airlines want compensation as Europe's skies reopen
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 29 April 2010 Ahmadinejad requests U.S. visa for nuclear meeting
British PM calls pensioner 'bigoted' in campaign gaffe
Apple may debut new iPhone at June conference
Two aid workers killed in southern Mexico
Afghanistan commemorates end of one war amid violence
US-TECH Summary
Pressure mounts on Germany to aid Greece
Steve Jobs to appear at 'D: All Things Digital' conference
Anand takes lead in 4th game
AOL sells ICQ instant messaging to Russia's DST
Five killed in suicide attacks on Iraq checkpoints
|
Republican Senators Block Vote on Financial Industry Overhaul Legislation
Yahoo likes location services, mum on Foursquare
Guinea PM warns of pro-Camara plot, threat to vote
|
Michael Jackson 3D Film "Captain EO" Returns To Walt Disney World In Florida
Egyptian court convicts 26 men of Hezbollah links
|
Fed Keeps Rates Unchanged, Says Economy Improving
Nigeria orders elections chief to step down
|
Bill Condon Officially Signs On To Direct "Twilight" Sequel "Breaking Dawn"
One dead as Thai troops clash with protesters on highway
Israeli troops kill Gaza border protester, say medics
|
Smelly Indiana Water OK To Consume
"Glee" Earns First #1 On Billboard Albums Chart With "The Power Of Madonna"
Leaders of India, Pakistan to hold talks Thursday
Comcast Q1 Profit Rises 21 Percent, Tops Estimates
Most famous Shanghai activist kept quiet for Expo
Florida's Governor Set to Announce Plans for Senate Campaign
Pakistan: Militants, troops clash in N. Waziristan
Attorney: Accused Client Has Low IQ
China calls for improved economic ties with Mongolia
Teen Beating Victim Out Of Hospital, Into Rehab Center
Thai authorities, protesters clash; 1 soldier dies
China stripped of Sydney Olympic bronze in under-age scandal
Panama will ask France to extradite ex-dictator Noriega
Thai troops clash with protesters, 1 killed, 19 hurt
S.Korea hails woman climber amid controversy
Gulf of Mexico oil burn to begin at 1600 GMT
Special Report -Rapid growth of U.S. militias feeds off politics
Briton, translator get 2-yr terms for Afghan bribe
Apple buys small chip maker, app developer
|
Apple to host conference in June: new iPhone expected
|
SAP to release delayed Web software in July
|
HTC to pay royalties to Microsoft for Android phones
Indonesia may reduce Australian's drug charge
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Sinopec says profit up 40 percent in 1st quarter
India's Bharti Airtel reports dip in profit
Sandra Bullock files for divorce: report
Toyota recalls 50,000 Sequoia SUVs in the US
S.Korea seeks law to protect actresses from sexual advances
China imposes more duties on US chicken products
Rotten shark, anyone? Iceland's menu goes wild
Anne Frank's original writings come home
Egyptian painting fetches record 2.43 million dollars
French pavilion unveils art masterpieces
California county bans fast-food toys to stem child obesity
Indian actress wins court battle over sex comments
British restaurant guide enrages French critics
Bret Michaels doctors hopeful of full recovery
|
Seinfeld's wife wins second round in book battle
|
Ice Cube has a new rap -- documentary filmmaking
|
Glee nabs top of album chart with Madonna
|
Afghan support for Karzai govt low, says Pentagon
Thai troops struggle to contain Bangkok protests
|
Activision in legal battle with game developers
Iraqi doctors use acupuncture during drug shortage
US Senate breaks logjam on Wall Street overhaul
Iraq election winner Allawi says new polls may be needed
HP buying Palm for 1.2 billion dollars
Iran, Egypt ready for battle at U.N. nuclear meeting
|
Technology stars top ranking of brand value
US oil burn begins as wind turns for the worst
Wikipedia blasts talk of child porn at website
Chinese man stabs children in kindergarten, 31 hurt
|
Controversial Offshore Wind Farm Gets Approval
Upbeat Fed keeps borrowing rates on hold
Apple buys small chip maker, app developer
Hewlett Packard To Buy Palm For $1.2 Billion
South Korea mourns sailors, broods on North's role
|
SAP to release delayed Web software in July
Warner Bros. Teams Up With IMAX To Release "The Hobbit," "Harry Potter," "Batman"
Oscar winner Bullock divorces husband, adopts a baby: People
Toyota To Upgrade Anti-Rollover Software In 50,000 Recalled Sequoia SUVs
U.S. Markets Rise As Fed Leaves Rates At Historic Lows
Federal Government't OK's First Offshore Wind Farm
Afghans protest death of lawmaker's relative
31 hurt in latest China school knife attack
Louisiana coast under threat as oil spill worsens
Yellows return to Thailand's color-coded protests
Thai FM draws fence around 'internal affair'
Gulf of Mexico oil leak grows
Poll: Philippine election front-runner widens lead
Australia plans first no-brand cigarette packets
U.S. questions Karzai support, anti-corruption zeal
Thai protesters ask EU to help in bloody crisis
South Korea honors sailors killed in ship sinking
Man stabs 28 children at kindergarten in China
Apple may charge $1 million to display mobile ads: report
|
Japan going frugal with Forever 21 Ginza opening
Taiwan stocks fall; UMC, Mediatek weigh
Lopez pigs out for new movie 'The Back-Up Plan'
Seoul shares lose 0.3 pct on shipyards, retailers
British comic Ricky Gervais to return as Globes host
GM to bring Chevrolet brand to S.Korea: CEO
S.Korea's SK Telecom profit inches up
IMF warns Asian economies of overheating risks
PAKISTAN
IMF: Stronger China currency among reforms needed
Tobacco firms take aim at Bangladeshi, Asian women
NZ household borrowing edges up in March
Bollywood power couple back together on screen
S.Korea stable financially, household debt a worry
"Avatar" dominates video sales, rental charts
Franco takes dark turn in pretentious crime drama
Imax, Warner Bros. ink 20-film deal
Swiss rankle as scholar hints at Heidi's German origins
Dr. Drew forms production company
Cairo's zabaleen want only respect in a rubbish life
Richard Gere, Topher Grace see "Double"
Avatar dominates video sales, rental charts
|
Franco takes dark turn in pretentious crime drama
|
Katie Holmes to play Jacqueline Kennedy on TV
|
Julia Roberts named world's most beautiful by People
|
Dr. Drew forms production company
|
Siobhan Magnus voted off American Idol
|
Imax, Warner Bros. ink 20-film deal
|
CBS chief voices 3D-TV doubt, News Corp upbeat
|
Richard Gere, Topher Grace see Double
|
Israel PM takes on hardliners in party vote
Russia cuts key interest rate to new low
Prosecutors open probe into Ukraine parliament fight
Gameworld: A job in video games might not be a virtual dream
India, Pakistan have very good talks, signal thaw
|
Moscow drops controversial Stalin poster plan
Acer to sell new smartphones after HP-Palm deal
Nokia to launch X2 phone: report
Bigot gaffe haunts UK PM before TV vote debate
|
Ex-ETA leader may have fled N.Ireland, court told
|
Afghan MP says U.S. troops raid home, kill relative
|
Nokia to launch X2 phone: report
Curtis Stone, Natalie Morales To Host Miss USA Pageant
Jon Stewart Berates Apple Over Gizmodo Editor Raid Treatment
Katie Holmes To Play Jackie Kennedy In Upcoming TV Miniseries
Radioactive material in scrapyard in India kills 1
Hundreds protest over Ponzi scheme in Sudan's Darfur
|
Prosecutors To Seek Death Penalty In Fort Hood Shooting
Pro-China party's Hong Kong radio show draws fire
Florida Teen Fatally Shot In Head By Friend
Thai protest rivals want military to end 'anarchy'
2 Mine Workers Trapped In Kentucky Mine Accident
Russian PM Putin orders Arctic cleanup
|
India, Pakistan agree to work towards peace dialogue
Mecca Becomes a Mecca for Drugs
U.S. Navy To Allow Females To Serve On Submarines
Pakistan agents believe Taliban's Mehsud is alive
Intel: Pakistan Taliban chief now believed alive
Military Scientists Lose Contact With Hypersonic Glider During Test Flight
China wants telecoms to inform on secret leakers
Director Adam McKay Says Anchorman 2 Depends On Paramounts Budget
India, Pakistan leaders talk at regional meeting
Car-bomb blast in Russia's Dagestan kills 2: police
|
Thai FM draws fence around 'internal affair'
Japan PM appeals for union support amid base row
Taiwan's Acer reports net profit up 62%
Wen vows fairness for foreign, Chinese companies
Pakistani o/n rates, stocks down; rupee weaker
Chadian army clashes with rebels
|
Taiwan computer maker Acer posts profit in Q1
Q+A: Debates surrounding U.N. anti-nuclear arms pact
|
Spanish debt downgrade hits euro, Asian stocks
Pakistani c.bank sells 16 bln rupees of govt paper
Seoul shares fall;Hyundai Motor, SK Telecom advance
Lennon's "Day in the Life" lyrics up for auction
Phil Collins, Roxy Music, Massive Attack to play Montreux
Juan Jose Campanella to direct big-screen "Heck"
Apple's Jobs criticizes Flash's closed system
|
Acer to sell new smartphones after HP-Palm deal
|
Nokia to launch X2 phone: report
|
Gameworld: A job in video games might not be a virtual dream
|
Apple buys small chip maker, app developer
|
Yahoo likes location services, mum on Foursquare
|
Lennon's Day in the Life lyrics up for auction
|
A Minute With: Michael Caine on being Harry Brown
|
Phil Collins, Roxy Music, Massive Attack to play Montreux
|
Julia Roberts named world's most beautiful by People
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights