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 Military Pushes into Protest Site in Bangkok The offensive began early Wednesday when soldiers in armored personnel vehicles smashed the makeshift barricades of tires and bamboo sticks erected around the area VOA News 19 May 2010 Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS An anti-government protesters' barricade is crushed by an armored personnel carrier at Lumpini Park in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Two Thai armored vehicles have toppled the tire-and-bamboo barricade of an encampment where anti-protesters are holed up in downtown Bangkok. (AP Photo/David Longstreath) The Thai government says security forces have successfully retaken a major part of Bangkok's upscale commercial district from anti-government protesters in a military operation that left at least four people dead, including a Western journalist. Soldiers entered the Red Shirts' encampment Wednesday at the Lumpini Park area, hours after they used armored personnel vehicles to smash the makeshift barricades built around the outpost. The Red Shirts set fire to the bamboo-and-tire barricades, sending huge clouds of black smoke into the air.  A Thai government spokesman, Panitan Wattanayagorn, appeared on television and declared the initial part of the operation a success. He said some of the leaders of the Red Shirts have fled the area.  But at least one of the Red Shirt leaders, Nattawut Saikuar, appeared at the main staging area in the encampment, urging followers to remain calm.  The protesters occupied the area for weeks, demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva call new elections. Violence between protesters and law enforcement officers has broken out in the past six days, killing at least 40 people. The foreign journalist killed in Wednesday's offensive has been identified as an Italian national. Two other foreign journalists were wounded. The Thai government on Tuesday refused an offer from the protesters to engage in talks mediated by the Senate. Government officials said they will not hold talks until the Red Shirts abandon their camp. More than 60 people have been killed since the Red Shirts began their demonstrations two months ago. The protesters largely support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006. They claim Mr. Abhisit was illegally installed in office after a court forced a pro-Thaksin government to dissolve.  Mr. Thaksin told Reuters news agency Wednesday's military crackdown could lead to guerrilla warfare across Thailand. Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP .