Thai army deployed to quell protests
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Police fired tear gas into the crowd of thousands. (Reuters: Chaiwat Subpraso)
Thailand has deployed troops to quell anti-government protests in Bangkok that have left at least 278 people hurt as months of political turmoil boiled over into violence, officials said.
There were scenes of chaos outside Bangkok's parliament as police fired tear gas into the crowd of thousands, sending bloody protesters fleeing, while angry mobs tried to overturn police vehicles.
Two Thai police officers were shot and wounded in the unrest, which capped months of demonstrations aimed at removing Thailand's elected government because of its ties to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
A man was killed in a car bombing near the protest site, police said, although they said it was unclear if the blast was directly linked to the violence. Police had earlier identified the victim as a woman.
"We have been asked by the police to help maintain law and order," army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said, without specifying how many soldiers had been deployed.
"The troops that are out are unarmed. Troops are coming from three armed forces - army, navy and air force."
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat - who has only been in his position for three weeks - said he would not declare a state of emergency or resign as the protests escalated.
"I will continue my work," he told reporters.
When asked about emergency rule, Mr Somchai said he was "not thinking of that at all."
Serious injuries
Government medical officials said 21 people had suffered serious injuries as police tried to disperse several thousand protesters surrounding parliament to try to prevent Mr Somchai from giving his first policy speech.
The address went ahead but the special parliamentary session ended after two hours and protesters blockaded lawmakers inside, forcing Somchai and five aides to climb over a fence to escape the mob, an AFP correspondent said.
Police fired off a third rally of tear gas to disperse about 8,000 protesters and create an exit for the trapped politicians, who hurried out of the building and drove away in waiting cars.
The political turmoil began in late May when protesters launched their campaign to overthrow the government because of its ties to Thaksin, who was ousted in a September 2006 coup.
Supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stormed Bangkok's main government compound on August 26 and have been barricaded there since, also protesting the government's plans to amend the constitution.
- AFP
