Thai govt demands end to violence
Thailand's government has demanded an end to the spiralling violence in Bangkok - but as yet neither side has laid down their arms.
It had set a deadline of two hours ago for the protesters to disband and go back to their homes.
But both have been firing at each other in the last hour.
The Thai government today warned protesters barricaded within the "occupation zone" in the heart of the capital to leave by 3pm (8am Irish Time) today, saying anyone who remains there will be violating the law and will face two years in prison.
“Immediately vacate the area that is considered dangerous,” the government said in a televised announcement. “Terrorists are trying to cause deaths in the area.”
The announcement said buses will be provided to escort protesters out of their encampment and take them home.
But the protesters paid tribute to Khattiya and vowed to continue their demonstrations.
“Seh Daeng has accomplished his duty. All of us here have the duty to carry on the quest for justice,” said a Red Shirt leader, Jatuporn Prompan. He said that the only hope now to end the violence was intervention by Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The 82-year-old monarch, in hospital since September, has remained publicly silent on the crisis unlike decades past when he stepped in to stop bloodshed.
Another protest leader, Nattawut Saikua, said Red Shirt leaders were willing to submit themselves to the courts and “move toward peace and negotiations,” but appeared to reiterate an earlier insistence that the government withdraw its troops before talks could begin.
It comes after the renegade army general who worked for Thailand’s Red Shirt protesters died today, five days after he was shot by a sniper.
Channel 9 television, Thai Rath newspaper and other media outlets said Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol died early today.
Khattiya, the military strategist of the Red Shirts, was shot in the head on Wednesday.
The attack triggered widespread street fighting between anti-government protesters and the army in central Bangkok. At least 36 people – all civilians - have died in the violence.
The Red Shirts have been protesting since mid-March demanding the immediate resignation of prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dissolution of parliament and new elections.
