Thai Red Shirts bid final good-byes to rebel general

RussiaToday | May 17, 2010

Red Shirt combat leader and former Thai army Major-General, Khattiya Sawasdiphol - also known as Seh Daeng - has died five days after being shot in the head during clashes at the Thai capital of Bangkok. Before an emotional crowd of his supporters, his body was taken out of the hospital and placed in an ambulance, then brought to a temple where he was laid in repose. The Thai government says it will accept a ceasefire offer made during a phone call from one of the protest leaders, but on condition that Red Shirt fighters return to their camp. Thousands of demonstrators are holding out in their camps in Bangkok, despite Sunday's deadline to leave. Earlier, the protesters offered UN-mediated talks so long as the government pulled back its troops, but that was rejected. At least 37 people have been killed in five days of street battles. The Red-Shirts have been calling for the Prime Minister to step down since March.