Seven civilians die, 101 hurt in crackdown - CRES allows troops to fire live ammunition - Reds fight back with rockets, petrol bombs
Soldiers take up position as anti-government protesters burn tyres near Bon Kai intersection yesterday. Security forces tried to push protesters back, sparking sporadic clashes. APICHART JINAKUL
Seven civilians have died in clashes between United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters and security officers in downtown Bangkok.
Clashes started late yesterday morning and continued throughout the afternoon at the Witthayu intersection, the Thai-Belgium Bridge, Lumpini police station, Ratchaprarop Road, Din Daeng intersection, Silom Road and Soi Sala Daeng.Soldiers used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds against protesters, who retaliated using home-made rockets and Molotov cocktails to block advancing soldiers and by setting fire to a bus.The sound of gunfire was heard from both sides.
In the evening, a number of grenade attacks took place on Rama IV and Silom roads.
At least seven red shirt protesters were killed and 101 people were injured yesterday, including three journalists and several soldiers.
Two people reportedly died during the afternoon clashes, while three were killed by grenade explosions on Rama IV Road and at Sala Daeng intersection.
Heavy gunfire and grenade explosions were reported in the Ratchaprarop area late last night, resulting in several injuries.
The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation gave soldiers authority to fire live rounds at the lower bodies of attacking protesters.
