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More Than 130 Wounded in Thai Crackdown on Protesters

   VOA News 10 April 2010
   Thai  soldiers clash with anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok, 10
   Apr 2010

Photo: AP

   Thai  soldiers clash with anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok, 10
   Apr 2010

   More   than   130   people   have  been  injured  in  a  crackdown  on
   anti-government protesters in Thailand's capital, Bangkok.
   Thai  security  forces  fired  rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse
   protesters.  Reports  say  live  rounds were also fired during clashes
   Saturday.   Protesters  hurled  stones  and  shoved soldiers and riot
   police  who  trieD  to remove them from public places including a main
   commercial area in Bangkok.
   Clashes erupted at several locations, including a military base, early
   Saturday, and at an anti-government television station on Friday.
   Security  forces  used  tear  gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to
   disperse  protesters  who  are  demanding  that Prime Minister Abhisit
   Vejjajiva step down.
   The  Red  Shirt  demonstrators, who largely back ousted Prime Minister
   Thaksin Shinawatra, have shut down much of Bangkok for nearly a month.
   Thailand's  government  has issued arrest warrants for at least 17 Red
   Shirt  leaders  in  connection  with the April 3 takeover of Bangkok's
   commercial district.
   The protesters are calling for early elections within two weeks.  Mr.
   Abhisit has offered to call a new election in nine months.
   The  demonstrators  say  they plan to continue their protests at least
   through this month's New Year celebrations.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.

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