Thai Protesters Open Fire on Opponents

Shots fired at civilians as 6-month protest turns violent
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 25, 2008 6:55 AM CST
Thai Protesters Open Fire on Opponents
Anti-government demonstrators gather outside Thai Armed Forces Command Headquarters on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008.    (AP Photo/David Longstreath)

Protesters in Thailand seeking to bring down the government opened fire on a group of political opponents along a blockaded highway today, Reuters reports. Television footage showed at least two guards from the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy firing 6 rounds at government supporters. The incident took place along a blockaded highway to a Bangkok airport, where ministers have had their offices since the PAD invaded government offices in August.

The attack is the latest and most violent twist in a 6-month effort by the PAD—a broad coalition of royalist businessmen, academics, and political activists—to bring down the popularly elected government. They say the current prime minister is a puppet of Thaksin Shinawatra, the PM's brother-in-law who remains in exile after a 2006 coup. Today the head of Thailand's army insisted once again that there would be no putsch this time.
(More Thailand stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X