Thai military begin armed crackdown on protestors

10:10, 19 May 2010

BANGKOK. May 19. KAZINFORM Government troops advanced into the opposition encampment in downtown Bangkok as an operation to disperse mass protests began early on Wednesday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.

A RIA Novosti correspondent reported that at about 7:30 local time [0:30 GMT] the troops opened fire at outer barricades of the main opposition encampment in downtown Bangkok.

There are reports of injuries, though no official reports have been released yet. The wounded are being taken to the Central police hospital in the heart of the opposition's tent city.

A government spokesman said on the national TV that a military operation to end the "unsanctioned rally" would continue throughout the day, and called on Bangkok residents to avoid visiting the area. Residents of the neighboring districts were advised to stay indoors.

The red shirts have been rallying in downtown Bangkok since early April and ignored a deadline to leave.

A state of emergency has been imposed in 17 Thai provinces, which show support for the opposition. The regions include Pattaya, a popular resort of Russian tourists, located on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.

News World News