One killed in Bangkok clashes, troops deployed

By Ed Cropley

BANGKOK (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and 34 hurt in clashes on Tuesday between government supporters and opponents in Bangkok, the worst violence since a street campaign against Thailand's prime minister began in May.

Around 400 soldiers armed with batons and shields were sent to help police struggling to contain the skirmishes near Government House, occupied for a week by protesters demanding Prime Minister Samak Sundarevej resign.

"The situation still doesn't warrant a state of emergency," National police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan told reporters at the scene. "Police can still handle the situation, but we have asked the army for help."

Petchpong Kamjornkijjakarn, head of Bangkok's emergency unit, told TPBS TV one man was killed by a blunt object and 34 hurt, including two with gunshot wounds.

It was not clear who fired the shots during the melee, which began when thousands of red-shirted government supporters marched to the prime minister's official compound, occupied by the yellow-shirted People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The crowd breached police lines and the two sides hurled petrol bombs, stones and planks at one another before they were separated by more riot police and, an hour later, by the troops.

"Soldiers must leave the barracks to help restore peace," army commander Anupong Paochinda told TPBS TV as four companies of anti-riot soldiers arrived on the scene.

The street was strewn with broken glass and rocks and there were several large pools of blood on the pavement.