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Thai General Aligned with Red Shirts Shot

VOA News
13 May 2010

A Thai general aligned with the country's Red Shirt anti-government protesters has been shot, as security forces begin a crackdown on their encampment in downtown Bangkok.

VOA Correspondent Daniel Schearf in Bangkok reports witnessing the general, known as Seh Daeng, being shot, possibly by a sniper, within the so-called Red Shirt protesters barricaded rally site. Schearf said just after the general was shot and fell to the ground, two large explosions went off inside the area.

There are reports that the general has sustained a serious wound, either in the head or chest, and is undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.

Right after the gunfire and explosions erupted, Schearf says tense protesters began shooting fireworks and smashing lights so that army troops could not see them.

Thai security forces have said they will form a blockade around the site in an effort to force the protesters out. An army spokesman, Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said earlier today that snipers will be deployed, and are prepared to fire live ammunition if necessary. But Schearf says he did not see any heavy weapons at the protest site.

General Seh Daeng is a hardcore supporter of the so-called "Red Shirt" protesters and believes the current government came to power illegitimately and should be forced out. Schearf also says the general openly walked around the protest site despite threats from the military.

The Red Shirts have occupied the upscale neighborhood for several weeks, as they demand the resignation of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Thai authorities increased pressure on the Red Shirts after the protesters failed to leave the rally site, despite agreeing to a reconciliation plan that called for early elections.

Red Shirt leaders say they are prepared to confront the soldiers if they storm the outpost.

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 residents complained they would be affected the most.

The Red Shirts have been marching and occupying parts of Bangkok since March. 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.