Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Thai 'Red Shirts' Raid Hospital in Bangkok VOA News 30 April 2010 Bangkok police officers assemble outside Chulalongkorn Hospital, 30 Apr 2010 Photo: AP Bangkok police officers assemble outside Chulalongkorn Hospital, 30 Apr 2010 A major hospital in Bangkok was forced to evacuate patients and suspend operations after about 100 anti-government protesters stormed the building late Thursday. The Red Shirts rushed into Chulalongkorn Hospital, located near their encampment in Bangkok's upscale shopping and tourist center, looking for Thai security forces they believed were hiding there. The group later withdrew after failing to find any troops. Weng Tojirakarn, one of Red Shirt leaders, later apologized for the raid on the hospital, calling it "inappropriate."  In a nationally televised speech, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would not directly criticize the protesters, because Thai society and the international community have already condemned the hospital raid.  The seven-week long demonstrations by the Red Shirts have virtually shut down Bangkok and devastated Thailand's tourism sector, which accounts for six percent of the nation's economy. At least 27 people have been killed and nearly 1,000 wounded since the start of the protests. The Red Shirts, made up mostly of the rural poor and urban working class, support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in 2006 on allegations of corruption. They say Mr. Abhisit was installed in office illegally, and are demanding that he call new elections. Their political rivals, the Yellow Shirts, support Thailand's monarchy. They rallied Thursday in front of an army base where Mr. Abhisit has been living and working since the protests began.  They delivered a petition calling on him to declare martial law and dispatch troops.  The Yellow Shirts staged a week-long demonstration at Bangkok's airport back in 2008, demanding the resignation of a pro-Thaksin government. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. .