15 dead as Bangkok protests explode

PHUKET: Fifteen people have been killed and more than 650 injured in clashes between troops and anti-government protesters in Bangkok.

Five soldiers are being held hostage by demonstrators and a journalist with Reuters news agency is among the dead.

In a report filed at 3am in Thailand today, Sky.com says soldiers fired rubber bullets and some live rounds at opposition “red shirts” as the army moved in to clear a protest site.
 
“We are asking for the Phan Fah bridge area back and we are about 200m to the main stage where about 4,000 protesters are,” army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

“The troops have been chasing protesters down Rajdumnoen Road and using tear gas, firing warning shots into the air and smoke bombs.

“We will keep moving down the road and will remove the main stage at the rally site,” Sansern said.

Phuket continues calm, with no known plans for demonstrations or other activities running counter to the government.