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Bangkok protesters fire on rivals | Bangkok protesters fire on rivals |
(10 minutes later) | |
Thai anti-government protesters have opened fire on government supporters during clashes in Bangkok which left at least 10 people injured, officials say. | |
The incident came after the People's Alliance for Democracy blocked the road to the city's old airport in a renewed attempt to unseat the government. | The incident came after the People's Alliance for Democracy blocked the road to the city's old airport in a renewed attempt to unseat the government. |
The PAD said on Sunday it had begun a "final battle" to achieve the goal. | |
Meanwhile, PAD supporters have stormed Bangkok's main international airport, forcing it to cancel all flights. | |
Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat Q&A: Bangkok protests | Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat Q&A: Bangkok protests |
They are hoping to prevent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who has rejected calls for his resignation, from returning from his visit to the Apec summit in Peru. | They are hoping to prevent Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who has rejected calls for his resignation, from returning from his visit to the Apec summit in Peru. |
Mr Somchai told reporters: "Anyone who wants to overthrow or resist the government is attempting a rebellion." | |
'Final battle' | 'Final battle' |
Footage of the violence, aired by public broadcaster TPBS, showed shots being fired from a truck into crowds after rocks were thrown from the ground. | Footage of the violence, aired by public broadcaster TPBS, showed shots being fired from a truck into crowds after rocks were thrown from the ground. |
Thousands of people are taking part in anti-government protests At least two handguns could be seen and people standing with the gunmen raised up a picture of the revered Thai king, whom the PAD claim to be supporting. | Thousands of people are taking part in anti-government protests At least two handguns could be seen and people standing with the gunmen raised up a picture of the revered Thai king, whom the PAD claim to be supporting. |
Protesters could be seen running across the empty multi-lane road and setting fire to a motorbike. | Protesters could be seen running across the empty multi-lane road and setting fire to a motorbike. |
A man was also seized by pro-government supporters and what appeared to be a large knife was held to his throat. | A man was also seized by pro-government supporters and what appeared to be a large knife was held to his throat. |
TPBS said its cameraman had been threatened at the scene and that PAD personnel attempted to seize his tape. | TPBS said its cameraman had been threatened at the scene and that PAD personnel attempted to seize his tape. |
On Monday, PAD protesters converged on Bangkok's old Don Muang international airport, from where the cabinet has been operating since its offices were occupied three months ago. | On Monday, PAD protesters converged on Bangkok's old Don Muang international airport, from where the cabinet has been operating since its offices were occupied three months ago. |
Organisers say the protest is a "final battle" to bring down the government. | Organisers say the protest is a "final battle" to bring down the government. |
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the government appears to have followed a strategy of allowing PAD to attack government buildings while avoiding clashes, in the hope that it will wear the protesters down. | The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says the government appears to have followed a strategy of allowing PAD to attack government buildings while avoiding clashes, in the hope that it will wear the protesters down. |
The government has so far resisted calling in the army. Analysts says it is a thinly disguised aim of the PAD to provoke such a move. | The government has so far resisted calling in the army. Analysts says it is a thinly disguised aim of the PAD to provoke such a move. |
The PAD are determined to create drama but many ordinary Thais are sick of the unrest and the protesters appear to be losing steam, says our correspondent. | The PAD are determined to create drama but many ordinary Thais are sick of the unrest and the protesters appear to be losing steam, says our correspondent. |