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Troops fire on protesters in Thailand

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 28 April 2010

At least 16 people are injured and one soldier reportedly killed as troops in Thailand clash with anti-government  protesters in the capital Bangkok.

Thailand clashes (Getty)

At least 16 people were injured during the clashes as the demonstrators charged at the troops with home-made weapons in a northern suburb of Bangkok. It's been reported that the soldier was shot possibly as a result of "friendly fire" during the protests.

Some 450 soldiers and policemen set up checkpoints near the old international airport on a highway in Bangkok's northern suburb. Some of them shot in the air with automatic weapons and shotguns.

Witnesses claimed troops shot rubber bullets, as around a thousand protesters honked their horns on the highway and sang on the back of pick-up trucks and motorcycles. It is thought the protesters left their fortified base by a road in the business district and were heading towards a market some 30 miles away.


Initially riot police and troops did not try to stop the protesters as several thousand remained behind the encampment in a central Bangkok shopping district they have occupied for the past seven weeks.

The fresh produce market is on a main highway north of the capital and this is where the "red shirt" supporters had gathered earlier in the week to prevent troops and police from gathering reinforcements.

Red shirt leaders called upon their supporters to come to the aid of the embattled convoy near the airport.

FCO travel warning
Despite a Foreign and Commonwealth Office warning to avoid all but essential travel to Thailand, some Britons are pressing ahead with their trips to the country.

Travel organisation Abta warned that travel insurance would not cover those who turn up in Thailand who are aware of the FCO advice.

Several thousands British tourists are already in Thailand and have been warned to stay inside to avoid the trouble.

At least 26 people have been killed in the recent violence and nearly a thousand injured.

Abta spokeswoman Frances Tuke said: "Some people are still wanting to go out to Thailand despite the FCO advice.

"They should realise that should they decide to go, get caught up in an incident and get injured and have travelled knowing the Foreign Office advice, they will not be covered by insurance.

"This is not a busy tourist time in Thailand, but there are still several thousand Britons out there at the moment.

"The hope is that they will all be able to get home on their scheduled flights."

Tourists who have travel to Thailand booked with Thomas Cook have been told that any travel up to and including Friday can be re-arranged or cancelled with a full refund.

The travel company said: "We are working closely with the Foreign Office and the Federation of Tour Operators to review the situation as it evolves and will continue to update customers accordingly."

Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice:
"British nationals should continue to exercise extreme caution throughout the country and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.

"This advice reflects the increasing tension in Thailand and our concern that violent incidents of an unpredictable nature are occurring in many parts of Thailand.

"The situation is volatile and we recommend that British nationals in Thailand or planning to travel to the country check the travel advice on the embassy website regularly for details of further developments."

"We advise extra vigilance at night, when the majority of violent incidents have occurred.

"Leaders of protest groups have made clear threats of further violence across Thailand.

"You should stay in close contact with your tour operator, if you have one, who may be able to advise you on the implications of this advice for their operations."

The FCO website said "substantial numbers of troops" were deployed in central Bangkok and there had been protests and violent incidents in other parts of Thailand, including popular tourist destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ayuthaya in the past week.
 

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