Injuries as police clash with anti-government protestors

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt yesterday expressed concern over the resurgence of protests in the city after police and anti-government protestors clashed over the weekend and again last night.

The 56 year old Chadchart says he is increasingly worried about the confrontations and has assigned a deputy governor to work out how the city’s authorities can help in case people are seriously injured.

Police and protesters both suffered injuries after they confronted each other at Bangkok’s Din Daeng intersection. Two police were taken to hospital after having ping pong bombs and glass thrown at them.

The anti-government protestors have been out in force since Saturday evening when a demonstration was organised from the Democracy Monument to the Victory Monument to demand the resignation of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Many of the protesters, mostly motorcycle-riding youths, and some from the ‘hard core’ Talugas group, gathered under the flyover at the intersection again late last night. The activists began throwing firecrackers at the police, who responded with tear gas, resulting in minor injuries on both sides.

The confrontation continued until about 11pm when police finally moved in to clear the protesters from the intersection and reopened the road to traffic.

The new BKK governor has expressed interest in trying to find a spot in the city where the protesters would be able to peacefully protest without the usual disruption of traffic.

SOURCE: Thai PBS