Soldier killed, others injured in clash as Thai protesters move beyond Bangkok

BANGKOK — Thai security forces fired into a crowd of anti-government protesters on the outskirts of Bangkok
on Wednesday in a bid to keep demonstrators contained in the capital.
The melee killed a soldier and injured at least 18 protesters, the
government’s Erawan emergency center reported.

It was not immediately clear whether the troops were
using live ammunition, rubber bullets or both, and there was some
speculation that the soldier was accidentally shot by security forces.

The showdown, the third time protests have turned
deadly in the last three weeks, occurred along a major street
connecting the capital with its northern suburbs as the Bangkok demonstrators, known as “red shirts,” tried to take their protest on the road in a convoy of vehicles.

Analysts said the clash raised the specter that the violence could spread.

“The prospect of soldiers firing, even rubber bullets, on convoys in places other than downtown Bangkok leads one to imagine such confrontations all over Thailand,” said Michael Montesano, an assistant professor at the National University of Singapore. “If the red shirts are dispersed, they could spread all over the country’s northeast, a nightmare for security forces.”

The red shirts, most drawn from rural and working-class communities, have occupied parts of Bangkok
for almost two months demanding the dissolution of parliament, new
elections and the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva,
whose government they say is illegitimate.

Abhisit has gone on a public relations
counteroffensive in recent days, arguing his case to the Thai public
and international audiences, including back-to-back interviews
Wednesday on CNN and the BBC. “If the government gives in to
intimidation and terrorist tactics, this sets a very bad precedent,” he
said on CNN.

Abhisit also argued that Thailand needs to bridge political differences before it can have an election and that giving in to a small group of protesters in Bangkok would not serve the interests of the nation at large.

Analysts said the media blitz has had some effect.
“In the past three or four days, Abhisit’s more strident line has
played well with the domestic audience that is anti-red,” Montesano
added. “That said, his government has shown no ability to heal
political divisions.”

Wednesday’s confrontation occurred after red-shirt
members, named for their preferred clothing color, announced they were
widening the protest beyond their base in downtown Bangkok. This appeared designed to provoke the government, which has said it wants to keep the crisis contained.

Led by anti-government leader and radio host Kwanchai Phraiphana, several hundred loyalists headed out of Bangkok in a ragtag convoy of trucks and motorcycles, daring the military to stop them.

As they approached a razor-wire barrier, riot squads
blocking the arterial Vibhavadi-Rangsit road initially fired into the
air to deter them. But when some demonstrators tried to get around the
barrier, the camouflage-attired forces lowered their weapons and fired
directly at the crowd.

Television images showed police crouching behind riot shields as soldiers aimed their rifles from behind concrete pylons.

Kwanchai, who has a warrant out for his arrest, was
seen ducking behind a vehicle as other protesters, some armed with
sharpened bamboo sticks, set off fireworks to distract the troops.
Kwanchai eluded arrest and returned to the red shirts’ main encampment
in Bangkok’s shopping district, which the group has vowed to defend “to the death.”

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told reporters
that troops had been instructed to use rubber bullets but were
authorized to use live ammunition in self-defense.

Last Thursday, one person was killed when grenades were launched in Bangkok,
where a state of emergency has been declared. Early in the month, 25
people were killed and several dozen wounded in clashes between
demonstrators and security forces.

As the standoff continues, worsening a political crisis that’s been festering for several years, many Bangkok residents find their patience tested.

“I don’t want citizens killing other citizens” said Pratheep Salee, 31, a businessman. “I just want our country to return to the peace and happiness we once had.”

(Magnier reported from New Delhi; Winn, a special correspondent, reported from Bangkok.)

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