PHUKET: Five soldiers on motorcycles were ambushed in Bangkok last night with two shot and wounded by gunfire.
The soldiers were patrolling the Thanon Witthayu district of Thailand's capital amid security fears that a mass rally by ''Red'' supporters of the government of Yingluck Shinawatra could spiral into confrontation with anti-government protesters.
The army has been neutral in the political street uprising that has claimed more than 20 lives and injured more than 200 since November.
Soldier Prasert Jansri was pierced with a shot that entered his chest and exited through his back in the ambush about 10pm. Another soldier, Chaiyan Lekpong, was also admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound.
The shooting is being blamed on a security guard associated with the protesting Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand, who saw the soldiers, not dressed in uniform, ride up to a protest site and opened fire.
The man allegedly then held a gun to the head of another casually dressed rider until it was explained that all five men on the three motorcycles were unarmed patrolling soldiers. The shooter ran off.
The five unarmed soldiers were carrying out a regular street patrol. More than 170 bunkers occupied by soldiers are still visible on Bangkok's streets to protect residents and reduce the possibility of violence.
The Erawan Centre says 21 people have been killed and 236 injured since November 30 in street clashes. Six victims remain in hospital.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has announced that the next mass gathering will last at least 15 days and be the ''final war'' to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
The soldiers were patrolling the Thanon Witthayu district of Thailand's capital amid security fears that a mass rally by ''Red'' supporters of the government of Yingluck Shinawatra could spiral into confrontation with anti-government protesters.
The army has been neutral in the political street uprising that has claimed more than 20 lives and injured more than 200 since November.
Soldier Prasert Jansri was pierced with a shot that entered his chest and exited through his back in the ambush about 10pm. Another soldier, Chaiyan Lekpong, was also admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound.
The shooting is being blamed on a security guard associated with the protesting Network of Students and People for the Reform of Thailand, who saw the soldiers, not dressed in uniform, ride up to a protest site and opened fire.
The man allegedly then held a gun to the head of another casually dressed rider until it was explained that all five men on the three motorcycles were unarmed patrolling soldiers. The shooter ran off.
The five unarmed soldiers were carrying out a regular street patrol. More than 170 bunkers occupied by soldiers are still visible on Bangkok's streets to protect residents and reduce the possibility of violence.
The Erawan Centre says 21 people have been killed and 236 injured since November 30 in street clashes. Six victims remain in hospital.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has announced that the next mass gathering will last at least 15 days and be the ''final war'' to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
He ran away when he was told they were soldiers. (Cos shooting "Red Shirts" would be OK ?) And if he hadn't been told, he'd have executed them all ? I find it astounding how some people have no value or respect for life. Is this an example of Suthep's reformed Thailand ? If he was a PDRC guard, he clearly was under no order to negotiate and maintain peace, in which case, leaders should also bear some responsibility. The army are not gonna be happy ...
Posted by James on April 6, 2014 10:41