European Salon de News, Discussion et Klatsch - 23 April | 85 comments (85 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

France24 - Series of deadly blasts rock Bangkok

AFP - A series of grenade attacks rocked central Bangkok on Thursday, killing one person and injuring more than 50, including foreigners, amid a tense standoff between groups of rival protesters.

Five grenades were fired into a crowd in the capital's business district, said army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd, where pro-government demonstrators were facing off with their rival "Red Shirts".

One Thai woman died, according to a local hospital, after the grenades hit the mass of pro-government supporters. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva immediately called an emergency meeting with security officials.

Ambulances rushed to the scene to load up bloodied victims after the blasts sent relaxed and cheerful pro-government crowds fleeing from the area, home to dozens of corporate towers and a notorious red-light district.

by In Wales (inwales aaat eurotrib.com) on Thu Apr 22nd, 2010 at 12:37:18 PM EST
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The army doesn't plan to break up the protest at night because it would be too dangerous, army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told reporters after the blast. Earlier he warned protesters that "time is running out" and said the military was waiting for "an appropriate time" to reclaim the area.
"We will try to make sure the area is secure so nobody can launch any more grenades," government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said by phone. "This is not a normal peaceful protest."
About 14,000 people rallied in the demonstration site, where they set up showers next to the Four Seasons Hotel and slept under advertisements for Prada and Louis Vuitton. The protesters, who are demanding new elections, have cordoned off an area roughly the size of New York's Central Park with bamboo barricades.
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Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.

by Cat on Thu Apr 22nd, 2010 at 08:57:03 PM EST
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European Salon de News, Discussion et Klatsch - 23 April | 85 comments (85 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)