Thai policeman shot dead in protest clashes

by Aidan JONES

BANGKOK, February 18, 2014 (AFP) - A Thai policeman was shot dead as security forces clashed with opposition protesters during an operation to reclaim besieged government buildings in Bangkok Tuesday, resulting in dozens of injuries and arrests.

The sound of gunfire and explosions shook an area of the city's historic district just a short walk away from major tourist attractions, after riot police armed with batons, shields and helmets moved to clear rally sites.

"One policeman was shot dead and four injured," Police Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP, adding that one of the casualties was seriously injured by shrapnel from a blast.

A total of 44 people were hurt, according to the city's Erawan emergency medical centre.
Demonstrators rejected a police demand to leave the area around Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's offices within one hour, a day after they poured buckets of cement onto a sandbag wall in front of a gate to the compound.

"The government cannot work here anymore," said a spokesman for the anti-government movement, Akanat Promphan.

"The arrests don't affect us. The will of the people is still strong. The government is trapped. It has no way forward."

About 100 opposition demonstrators were arrested at a different rally site at an energy ministry complex in the capital on charges of violating a state of emergency, National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut told AFP.

It was the first time that so many protesters have been detained since mass rallies seeking to overthrow Yingluck and her administration began more than three months ago.

The protesters are demanding Yingluck resign and hand power to a temporary, unelected government that would carry out reforms to tackle corruption and alleged misuse of public funds before new elections are held.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-02-18

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UPDATE:

Two dead, 60 hurt in Thai protest clashes

BANGKOK, February 18, 2014 (AFP) - Two people were killed and 60 wounded in clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces in the Thai capital on Tuesday, emergency services said.

A policeman was shot dead and a civilian died from a head wound, according to the Erawan emergency centre.

Gunfire and explosions broke out after riot police launched an operation to reclaim besieged government buildings in Bangkok.

The protesters have staged more than three months of mass street rallies demanding Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's resignation.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-02-18

Chalerm and Yingluck are to be blamed for this.

Yellow criminals showing their true (deadly) color...

It's time to suppress Suthep and his mad following dogs before more innocent people get hurt

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And who said the protesters don't have weapons. More lies.

Bad and unnecessary.

Stop it before too late.

And before Tharit, Chalerm and their supporters here say that the police wasn't armed.

The fallout from having the chief of police promoted in a criminal on the run's hotel room in Hong Kong is having the totally predictable effect that was foreseen by TVF members since the photos were circulated. RIP to the deceased who likely had no choice but to be there on the front line defending the indefencible. The unfortunate truth is that there will be scores more deaths on both sides until the kleptocratic northern amart realize the end is nigh and step down to allow the destruction of Thailand to end and some sort of reconciliation to occur.

And before Tharit, Chalerm and their supporters here say that the police wasn't armed.

What a stupid statement. Police are allowed to be armed to defend the rights of the common man not the criminal protesters.

And who said the protesters don't have weapons. More lies.

Please calm down.

This is just an isolated incident.

I am sure it is just an accidental discharge.

Not the fault of the protesters.

I won't happen again.

Suthep's protesters came in peace and with no weapons.

And before Tharit, Chalerm and their supporters here say that the police wasn't armed.

Those green beret guys with the guns must be some special force.

And who said the protesters don't have weapons. More lies.

Please calm down.

This is just an isolated incident.

I am sure it is just an accidental discharge.

Not the fault of the protesters.

I won't happen again.

Suthep's protesters came in peace and with no weapons.

More lies.

RIP to the policeman. Which ever side is responsible for the killing of a police officer on duty it is a terrible crime.

I'd like to say "Take em down, arrest everyone, stop all this nonsense". But it would be better to continue as before. Find a way to continue "care-taking" despite the protest annoyances and let his numbers continue to dwindle on their own as people get tired and leave from the lack of effectiveness that they are having and the fact that they have no real clearly formulated goal in sight anyway.

And before Tharit, Chalerm and their supporters here say that the police wasn't armed.

What a stupid statement. Police are allowed to be armed to defend the rights of the common man not the criminal protesters.

Amazing admission !

And before you start ranting, think....You will understand!

Friendly fire.

Chalerm and Yingluck are to be blamed for this.

Oh God, enough with this type of nonsense.

RIP to those have been and will be murdered by the paid yellow thugs.

And a speedy recovery to those injured it trying to return the streets to the public.

RIP. My prayers are with the family of the deceased, and for the swift recovery of the injured.

It is truly heartrending that it has come to this, officers of the law being killed and injured while just following orders and doing their jobs.

Chalerm and Yingluck are to be blamed for this.

I thought that it was rampant corruption on all sides over many years.

RIP may your life not have be taken for nothing.

End this madness now!!

Suthep is to blame for this , he is a raving idiot, It is obvious that the firing is coming from the protesters, if the Police were doing the shooting Why is one dead and at least 4 or more wounded, Thai news stated 29 some were injured at noon, did not say which sides.

It is time for the rule of law to be enforced, let the army do what they may!.

Why do you bother to post other than to stir the pot. This is full of contradictions. So of the 29 injured lets assume some were protesters then how were they injured?

And who said the protesters don't have weapons. More lies.

And who said they are actual protestors, more conjecture.

And before Tharit, Chalerm and their supporters here say that the police wasn't armed.

What a stupid statement. Police are allowed to be armed to defend the rights of the common man not the criminal protesters.

Wait for the news buddy. I have just heard that Tharit said that the police only used rubber bullets

Sad to hear the policeman was killed in line of duty. His family will suffer because of that. But the protest leaders obviously do not care about that either. Hope this is resolved with no more serious injuries or deaths. Hope those who are responsible for the murder of this policeman are dealt with in the MOST Appropriate Manner.

And before Tharit, Chalerm and their supporters here say that the police wasn't armed.

Those green beret guys with the guns must be some special force.

These are the Border Police brought in by Chalerm last month.

Suthep is to blame for this , he is a raving idiot, It is obvious that the firing is coming from the protesters, if the Police were doing the shooting Why is one dead and at least 4 or more wounded, Thai news stated 29 some were injured at noon, did not say which sides.

It is time for the rule of law to be enforced, let the army do what they may!.

No Thaksin is to blame for this, see we can continue this name blaming for eternity. It is quite apparent from photos and news footage that the majority of the injured are not police, so are you stating protestors are hurting fellow protestors.

Suthep is to blame for this , he is a raving idiot, It is obvious that the firing is coming from the protesters, if the Police were doing the shooting Why is one dead and at least 4 or more wounded, Thai news stated 29 some were injured at noon, did not say which sides.

It is time for the rule of law to be enforced, let the army do what they may!.

I agree.. just as much as Taksin was to blame for the deaths in 2010. Similar situations similar people to blame.

Chalerm and Yingluck are to be blamed for this.

Does Thai culture prohibit any kind of introspection or the concept of 'personal' responsibility?? Why must this madness continue?

Reform is good but to form an unelected government, The world might not accepted in democratic country

Friendly fire.

as said in some Thai media . . . to be confirmed.

anyway, it is not a good news.

Chalerm and Yingluck are to be blamed for this.

I thought that it was rampant corruption on all sides over many years.

Same thing.....