The chief military advisor of Thailand? anti-government protesters was injured in the head, after an explosion and bursts of automatic gunfire were heard near Bangkok? business district last night.
Khattiya Sawasdipol, a suspended army specialist in charge of security at an encampment occupied by thousands of ?ed Shirt?demonstrators, was admitted to an intensive care ward after being shot, the state Narenthorn Emergency Medical Service said.
It had no other details.
PHOTO: AFP
Khattiya, better known as ?eh Daeng?(Commander Red) enjoys a cult following among some Red Shirts and soldiers, but has been dubbed a ?errorist?by the government, which accuses him of involvement in dozens of grenade attacks that have injured more than 100 people.
The government had warned earlier yesterday that it would launch a lockdown on the protesters?camp, and said troops would not hesitate to shoot armed ?errorists?who resist.
Armored personnel carriers and snipers would surround the Red Shirt protesters.
The warning forced businesses to evacuate workers as tensions rise in the deadliest political crisis in two decades.
The army said its armored vehicles wouldl bolster checkpoints, stopping protesters from entering the area, and it urged businesses on roads leading into the protesters?3km ?fortified encampment to close today.
Army spokesman Sansern Kaew虺amnerd said authorities tasked with resolving the crisis would seek Cabinet approval to invoke a state of emergency in 15 northern and northeastern provinces, which are stronghold of protesters to prevent any mobilization.
The mostly rural and urban poor protesters refused to leave as their leaders challenged the government from behind medieval-like walls made fromtires and wooden staves soaked in kerosene and topped by razor wire.
The government estimated the crowd size at 10,000 but eyewitnessses put it at more than 20,000.
?e will send out groups to surround these vehicles to prevent them from advancing,?Jatuporn Prompan, a protest leader, told supporters. ?e believe the army will try to crack down this evening or tomorrow morning.?br />
Companies and embassies in the area ?including the US, British and Dutch embassies ?told employees to leave work early and activated back-up plans for today. Public transportation was being diverted from the area.
The mood at the protest site turned quickly in the afternoon from festive to tense.
Leaders took turns on the stage to call for more protesters to come to the encampment, chanting ?ome out, come out?and threatening to lay siege to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva? house and an infantry barracks where he has taken refuge.
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