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TechnoratiFrance 24 reporter wounded in Thai clashes
Reporter Nelson Rand, from RFI's sister TV station France24, was shot in the leg during clashes in the Thai capital Friday. Government forces fired on Red Shirt protesters, resulting in panic after Thursday's death of one protester and wounding of General Khattiya Sawasdipol.
Thailand's fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra called on the government Friday to pull back troops and restart negotiations with his "Red Shirt" supporters .
A spokesperson for the emergency services said one person had died and 12 were injured following the army's attempt to disperse about 2,000 protesters from their heavily fortified encampments. Troops were seen firing into Lumpini Park and Suan Lum Night Bazaar.
In the bazaar, protesters set fire to an empty police bus and vandalised army vehicles. Around the wider protest area, which extends for several square kilometres, soldiers blocked roads and set up checkpoints.
As part of the operation, some of Bangkok's commuter rail system was shut, including a section through the key tourist area of Sukhumvit Road. The electricity company also cut off power to part of the capital.
The army had warned Thursday that it would deploy snipers around the Reds' protest site and use armoured vehicles to prevent more demonstrators from joining in.
The protesters have occupied central Bangkok for two months, crippling an upscale retail district.
Comments (1)
Government carries out strateg of complete terror
The government of Thailand, never elected by the people, has no chance to win the hearts and mindes of the people which is why it uses a strategy of terror to break down the protests. Assasinations and the complete abolishment of press freedom are only two of the strategies of terror implemented by the government of Mr Abhisit, who is known to despise the spo called "common Thai". A huge number of people are arrested right now. Some of them may be never seen again by their relatives and friends. Brutal forcr and murder may give the government the chance to win a short time, but the fallen vicitms will not be lost in the memory of the Thai people. Their blood will haunt the killiers and Mr Abhisit will oce end up in a jail cell where he belongs.
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