Bangkok, Thailand Protest Death Toll Rises - NTDTV.com

Jasperserendipity | May 17, 2010

Armed Thai troops walked near the luxury Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok's Silom business area Monday morning, after a night of heavy fighting around the hotel left at least one dead.

Armed clashes killed one Thai soldier, taking place opposite a barricade set up by the "red-shirt" anti-government protesters.

Separately, a rogue general, who was also military chief to the red-shirts, died on Monday morning from his wounds, according to hospital officials.

Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as "Commander Red," had been shot in the head last Thursday, in an incident sparking more violence in the capital.

The number of protesters in the red-shirt fortified camp dropped after the overnight fighting, but protest leaders continued to address the gathered crowd.

Protest leaders blamed the government for the deaths during the crisis.

One "red-shirt" protester said the option of retreat had passed.

[Kanya Deemek, Red-Shirt Protester]:
"I have no fear at all. We will fight until we die because of our fellow protesters; we have lost about 50 to 60 people already. We will continue fighting, and will not retreat because most of the people who are fighting in here are grass-root people. They are not terrorists, as the government has accused us of being."

Clashes have so far killed at least 35 people since last Thursday, and the government has rejected demands from the red-shirts for U.N.-mediation.

The streets in central Bangkok were deserted Monday, as soldiers braced for more violence.

Monday and Tuesday have been declared public holidays, but banks and financial markets remained open.

At least 64 people have died, and more than 1,600 have been wounded, since the red shirts began their protest in mid-March.

Contains Content From: REUTERS