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 General Aiding Red Shirts in Critical Condition VOA Correspondent Daniel Schearf witnessed the general being shot inside the Red Shirts barricaded rally site VOA News 14 May 2010 Thai emergency medical staff rush Maj. Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol, also known as "Seh Daeng" to surgery after he was shot Thursday, May 13, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand Photo: AP Thai emergency medical staff rush Maj. Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol, also known as "Seh Daeng" to surgery after he was shot Thursday, May 13, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand A renegade Thai general aligned with the country's Red Shirt anti-government protesters is in critical condition after being shot in the head as security forces surrounded their encampment in downtown Bangkok. General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), was struck in the temple while being interviewed by New York Times reporter Thomas Fuller. In the ensuing violence, Thai troops opened fire on a group of Red Shirt protesters, killing one and wounding at least eight others. The Associated Press reported Thursday that a government spokesman refused to answer a question as to whether Thai troops had shot Khattiya, saying only that the operation went "according to international standards and law." A protest leader, Jatuporn Prompan, later told demonstrators that the attack on Seh Daeng would not deter people willing to shed their blood for democracy. VOA Correspondent Daniel Schearf witnessed Khattiya's shooting, which took place inside the Red Shirts barricaded rally site. He says it was apparently the work of a sniper. An Army spokesman, Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, had warned earlier that snipers would be deployed as the military prepared to form a blockade around the encampment in an effort to drive out the protesters. The 58-year old general led a small, militant wing of the Red Shirts that had assumed control of security for thousands of demonstrators. But many within the protest movement have openly distanced themselves from Seh Daeng, concerned that he has played a role in fomenting violence. The planned blockade comes after the Thai government backed down from a vow to shut off vital supplies, including food, water and electricity, to the encampment Wednesday. It was called off after nearby residents complained they would be affected the most.  Red Shirt leaders say they are prepared to confront the soldiers if they storm their post. Amid the violence the Thai capital, the United States closed its Bangkok embassy Thursday and announced it would remain shut on Friday. Britain also said it would close its embassy Friday. The protesters have occupied the upscale neighborhood for several weeks. The mostly poor, rural and urban workers are supporters of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. They claim Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government was installed illegitimately after a court forced a pro-Thaksin government to dissolve.  Mr. Abhisit offered last week to dissolve parliament and hold new elections on November 14, more than a year ahead of schedule, in hopes of ending a crisis that has claimed the lives of 29 people. The death toll includes 25 people killed during an April 10 clash between the protesters and Thai security forces. The Red Shirts accepted the proposal in principle earlier this month. But they later made a new demand for Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to face criminal charges for his role in the April 10 crackdown. Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP .