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Thai troops crack down on protest Thai troops crack down on protest
(30 minutes later)
Thailand's army has begun an operation to remove anti-government protesters blocking the centre of the capital Bangkok, sparking violent clashes.Thailand's army has begun an operation to remove anti-government protesters blocking the centre of the capital Bangkok, sparking violent clashes.
Forty-nine people were injured as hundreds of soldiers advanced against the crowd at a major road junction close to the landmark Victory Monument.Forty-nine people were injured as hundreds of soldiers advanced against the crowd at a major road junction close to the landmark Victory Monument.
Troops fired tear gas and live rounds as protesters hurled stones and, it appears, petrol bombs. Troops fired tear gas and live rounds as protesters hurled stones and a number of petrol bombs.
It is the first serious clash after weeks of mass protests.It is the first serious clash after weeks of mass protests.
The government will keep working to return peace and order to the country Abhisit Vejjajiva Thai prime minister
Smoke is billowing from a flyover and red-shirted protesters are still out in the road taunting the troops, the BBC's Alastair Leithead reports from close to the site of the clashes.Smoke is billowing from a flyover and red-shirted protesters are still out in the road taunting the troops, the BBC's Alastair Leithead reports from close to the site of the clashes.
Our correspondent says the demonstrators appear angry and resolute.Our correspondent says the demonstrators appear angry and resolute.
The outcome of the confrontation depends very much on what tactics the troops employ, he adds.The outcome of the confrontation depends very much on what tactics the troops employ, he adds.
The Thai authorities earlier declared a state of emergency after the protesters, who back ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, stopped a major Asian summit in Pattaya. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier declared a state of emergency after the protesters, who mostly back ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra, stopped a major Asian summit in Pattaya.
'Soft measures' Mr Thaksin has called for a "revolution" against the government.
'Hundreds of rounds'
Witnesses told the Associated Press news agency that troops had advanced against the protesters at the the Din Daeng intersection between 0400 and 0500 (2100 and 2200 GMT Sunday).Witnesses told the Associated Press news agency that troops had advanced against the protesters at the the Din Daeng intersection between 0400 and 0500 (2100 and 2200 GMT Sunday).
Soldiers are among the injured Some of the protesters could be seen with petrol bombs
"The soldiers fired hundreds of rounds from their M-16 automatic rifles as they advanced, though it was unclear whether they were firing at, or over, the protesters," agency says. "The soldiers fired hundreds of rounds from their M-16 automatic rifles as they advanced, though it was unclear whether they were firing at, or over, the protesters," the agency says.
An army spokesman, Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, said about 400 soldiers had moved against some 300 protesters.An army spokesman, Col Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, said about 400 soldiers had moved against some 300 protesters.
He accused protesters of driving a car at the soldiers and said troops had first fired into the air in response to tear gas and smoke bombs thrown at them by protesters.He accused protesters of driving a car at the soldiers and said troops had first fired into the air in response to tear gas and smoke bombs thrown at them by protesters.
The soldiers then fired live rounds, he said.The soldiers then fired live rounds, he said.
"We will start with soft measures and proceed to harder ones," the army spokesman told AFP news agency."We will start with soft measures and proceed to harder ones," the army spokesman told AFP news agency.
"We will avoid loss of life as instructed by the government.""We will avoid loss of life as instructed by the government."
Battle of wills Call for calm
Earlier on Sunday, protesters broke into the interior ministry and at one point attacked a car they thought was carrying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. He was not inside. Earlier on Sunday, protesters broke into the interior ministry and at one point attacked a car they thought was carrying Prime Minister Abhisit. He was not inside.
A very small element of the Thai people seem to have gone totally insane and are hell-bent on destroying their country which has financial troubles enough without these maniacs Thai Eye, Bangkok and Chiang Mai Thai emergency: Your emails Send us your comments The whole capital is a series of riots Paulo, Bangkok Thai emergency: Your emails Send us your comments
They blocked a number of busy road junctions and at least one railway, and took over buses and two armoured vehicles.They blocked a number of busy road junctions and at least one railway, and took over buses and two armoured vehicles.
The collapse of the summit was a huge embarrassment to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and he has vowed to restore order, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok. The collapse of the summit was a huge embarrassment to Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva and he has vowed to restore order, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
Our correspondent says that what began as a show of strength by the government's opponents two weeks ago has turned into a battle for control of the capital which neither side feels it can afford to lose. He appeared on TV just before midnight, called on the public not to panic and to co-operate to end the crisis.
"In the next three to four days, the government will keep working to return peace and order to the country," he said.
The camera panned to the commanders of the army, navy, air force and deputy police chief as he said:
"I can confirm that the government and security agencies are still unified."
'Time for revolution'
Mr Thaksin, who addresses his supporters by telephone from self-imposed exile abroad, called for a "revolution" on Sunday.
"Now that they have tanks on the streets, it is time for the people to come out in revolution," he said in a message shown on giant screens near the prime minister's office.
"And when it is necessary, I will come back to the country."
Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored and the army can be deployed to help police maintain order.Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored and the army can be deployed to help police maintain order.
Last year, the government imposed a state of emergency on several occasions but the army refused to enact the measures.Last year, the government imposed a state of emergency on several occasions but the army refused to enact the measures.
That crisis eventually led to Mr Abhisit's government taking over from allies of Mr Thaksin.That crisis eventually led to Mr Abhisit's government taking over from allies of Mr Thaksin.
Our correspondent in Bangkok says the problem for Mr Abhisit is that he rode to power on the back of protests that were just as illegal, and may look hypocritical if he only goes after the red-shirted protesters who embarrassed him.Our correspondent in Bangkok says the problem for Mr Abhisit is that he rode to power on the back of protests that were just as illegal, and may look hypocritical if he only goes after the red-shirted protesters who embarrassed him.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
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