Thai army cracks down on protesters

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Source: Reuters

Thai army cracks down on protesters
Mon Apr 13, 2009 3:10pm BS

By Martin Petty

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai troops fired at crowds of anti-government protesters in central Bangkok on Monday and demonstrators fought back with firebombs and rocks, propelling Thailand deeper into political crisis.

Near dusk, soldiers advanced into an area held by protesters near Government House in what appeared to be a final push to end demonstrations that have further hobbled a country still reeling from political chaos last year and the global financial crisis.

In one spot, some 200 soldiers lined up across a road with roughly 200 riot police behind them. The army set up roadblocks to stop "red shirts" from returning to the Government House area.

Protesters torched several buses on the roads leading towards them. One side of a government building was on fire, and a Thai television channel said it was caused by a firebomb. Black smoke billowed into the dusk sky.

Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE53B0DD20090413