135 injured in clashes in Bangkok
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At least 135 people were injured in clashes between "red-shirts" protesters and security forces in Bangkok Saturday in a sharp escalation of tension as the security forces is serving the emergency rule, according to the information given by the national Erawan Emergency Center at about 4:40 p.m. local time.
In a temporary truce, the army withdrew from Makkawan Rangsan Bridge to the area in front of the Kurusapa Hall of the Education Ministry as more "red-shirts" are arriving there to reinforce their colleagues.
At least 135 people were injured in the first bout of clashes in the afternoon, according to the center. All these injured have been admitted to hospitals in Bangkok, it said.
The Army's spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said on Nation TV at about 4:00 p.m. the security forces will try to retake the Phan Fah Bridge, one of the major "red-shirts" rally sites.
Earlier the core leaders of "red-shirts" called on their supporters to park all their cars and motorcycles at every intersection around Phan Fah Bridge, one of the "red-shirts" main rally site, to prevent the security forces from entering for a possible dispersion.
All the stations of BTS, or the skytrain transportation system, across Bangkok, have suspended service, the nation TV reported at 3:00 p.m. There are some foreigners stuck inside the stations and "having no idea where to go", local media reported.
The shoppers have been told to leave the shopping malls near Ratchaprasong Intersection, another major rally site of the "red- shirts", as more chaos is anticipated.
"Red-shirts" clashed with the army at Makkawan Rangsan Bridge, which is not far from Phan Fah Bridge, at about 2:40 p.m. as the army tried to push them back to their rally site. The soldiers used tear gas and rubber bullets.
A number of policemen are now reinforcing Pleun Chit area, where a clash had been reported at Pleun Chit skytrain station between protesters and the police. The Pleun Chit station is about five-minute walk from Ratchaprasong Intersection.
Earlier about 200 "red-shirts" protesters clashed with the army in front of the 1st Army Region headquarters in Bangkok around 1: 00 p.m.
The acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayagorn told Nation Channel at about 2:20 p.m. Saturday that the government is going to take back the occupied places by the "red-shirts".
Noting that all actions are of international standard of emergency control, Panithan said the army had taken control of Phitsanulok Road, where the Government House is situated.
Earlier the day some "red-shirts" leaders alerted the protesters at 11:45 a.m. to get prepared for a possible crackdown by troops.
The leaders, including Wisa Khanthap, Kwanchai Praiphana and Phaichit Akksornnarong, told the protesters that they learnt that troops were heading to the Phan Fah rally site.
Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency Wednesday afternoon after the Parliament House were temporarily stormed by the protesters.
The "red-shirts" have been staging a rolling rally in the capital city since March 12 in an effort to pressure Abhisit to dissolve the parliament and hold a snap election.
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