Thai 'red shirts' clash with riot police
Updated on 10 April 2010
Police in Thailand fire live rounds at protesters in a series of confrontations with opposition demonstrators as a long-running campaign for new elections continues.
Demonstrators retaliated with petrol bombs against police as a month-long street protest descended into a riot in Bangkok. Reports say four civilians and four soldiers have been killed in the clashes.
Hundreds more people have been wounded in skirmishes near the Phan Fah bridge and Rajdumnoen Road in Bangkok's old quarter, a protest base near government buildings and the regional UN headquarters.
Hundreds of "red shirt" protesters also forced their way into government offices in two northern cities, raising the risk of a larger uprising against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his 16-month-old, military-backed government.
"We are changing our demand from dissolving parliament in 15 days to dissolving parliament immediately," protest leader Veera Musikapong told the demonstrators. "And we call for Abhisit to leave the country immediately."
After hours of violence, army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said troops would pull back in the old quarter as the riot spread into Khao San Road, an area popular with back-packing tourists.
"If this continues, if the army responds to the red shirts, violence will expand," Sansern said.
Thai protest leader Nattawut Saikua told demonstrators to do the same.
"Right now, many people are injured. The security forces are pulling back and we should do the same," he said.