THE INTERNATIONAL media covered clashes between anti-government protestors and police in harsh terms overnight.
A Thai travelling in Europe telephoned Phuketwan to say that the people she was speaking to at airports and train stations had seen the television footage and heard reports of deaths and injuries.
She said she had been told that people did not like what was happening in Bangkok. Those that had planned to visit Thailand would probably look to going elsewhere.
Most of the television footage was of the confrontation between protestors and police, although the global financial crisis tended to top news services.
Thailand ranked as the second or third item, with the violent footage on show.
In print, a report headed 'Two dead as Thai troops battle protesters' ran in the Guardian in Britain.
The newspaper reported, perhaps a little inaccurately: ''Troops were deployed on the streets of Bangkok last night to bolster Thai police after a day of clashes with anti-government protesters left two people dead and more than 350 injured.
''Police fought pitched battles from early morning with demonstrators from the People's Alliance for Democracy (Pad) who gathered outside the Thai parliament as it met in a new session.
''Two policemen were shot as thousands of protesters massed in an effort to force the resignation of the new prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, accusing him of being a puppet of his deposed predecessor, Thaksin Shinawatra.
''Somchai escaped the parliament building by crawling through a fence and was evacuated by helicopter. The deputy prime minister, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who had been the government's chief negotiator with Pad, quit his post. Pad has occupied the grounds of the prime minister's offices for months.
''The violence was the worst since Pad protesters clashed with pro-government supporters almost two months ago, prompting the prime minister to declare a state of emergency and call troops on to the streets.
''Last night the army dismissed speculation that the arrival of soldiers on the streets heralded another coup, two years after Thaksin was forced out and sought asylum in Britain after fleeing corruption charges.''
The Bloomberg business news agency headlined its report: ''Thailand Stocks, Currency Fall as Police Clash With Protesters''
''Thai stocks and the baht fell, while the cost of protecting external debt from default surged, as police clashed with protesters surrounding parliament, deepening concern the political crisis will speed an exit by investors.
''The benchmark stock index slid to its lowest in more than five years and the baht dropped to a three-week low after police this morning dispersed protesters who tried to prevent new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from presenting his administration's policies to lawmakers. Dozens were injured in the clash.''
In Australia the Sydney Morning Herald headlined its report ''Bangkok in crisis as mob turns on leaders''
''MORE than 100 protesters were hurt, a deputy prime minister quit and hundreds of Thai politicians were trapped inside the Parliament after an explosive day of protests in the capital yesterday.
''As angry crowds continued to swell around the Parliament building last night, the Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, was forced to scale a fence with five of his ministers to escape the mob.
'We have to wait to see how the situation plays out. In my personal opinion it will be hard to get out today, but eventually we will get out,' the Agriculture Minister, Somsak Prisanananthakul, told AFP.
'The protesters' sentiment is very high now - we have to wait for them to calm down.'
''Attempts by ministers to negotiate with protesters from the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy were met with jeers from the crowd near the entrance to the building.''
Associated Press reported: ''Thai PM flees on foot to escape violent protests''
''The Prime Minister of Thailand was forced to scale a fence and flee in a police helicopter yesterday as thousands of protesters barricaded parliament in the latest twist in the country's seething political turmoil.
''Riot police fired tear gas in clashes with activists who had vowed to prevent politicians from leaving the building in the capital, Bangkok. A bomb exploded near where the demonstrators had gathered, killing at least two people.
''In total, some 380 people were hurt, including eight police who were shot or stabbed. Four rioters lost parts of their arms or legs as tear-gas canisters exploded near them. With no end to the violence in sight last night, troops were deployed alongside police to help restore order. ''
ABC News in Australia headlined its report: ''Two dead, hundreds injured in Thai protests''
South-East Asia correspondent Karen Percy and wire reported: ''A Thai woman has died in Bangkok from wounds sustained in clashes between police and anti-government protesters.
''Hundreds have been injured in the violence. The woman reportedly died of chest wounds.
''She was caught in one of a series of tear gas attacks near the national parliament building.
''Most of the injured were protesters struck by shrapnel from tear gas canisters.
''Last night the police continued to fire tear gas into the crowd in a bid to break up what seems to be an escalating anti-government movement.
''Three military units from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force have been sent in to provide backup for the police.''
A Thai travelling in Europe telephoned Phuketwan to say that the people she was speaking to at airports and train stations had seen the television footage and heard reports of deaths and injuries.
She said she had been told that people did not like what was happening in Bangkok. Those that had planned to visit Thailand would probably look to going elsewhere.
Most of the television footage was of the confrontation between protestors and police, although the global financial crisis tended to top news services.
Thailand ranked as the second or third item, with the violent footage on show.
In print, a report headed 'Two dead as Thai troops battle protesters' ran in the Guardian in Britain.
The newspaper reported, perhaps a little inaccurately: ''Troops were deployed on the streets of Bangkok last night to bolster Thai police after a day of clashes with anti-government protesters left two people dead and more than 350 injured.
''Police fought pitched battles from early morning with demonstrators from the People's Alliance for Democracy (Pad) who gathered outside the Thai parliament as it met in a new session.
''Two policemen were shot as thousands of protesters massed in an effort to force the resignation of the new prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, accusing him of being a puppet of his deposed predecessor, Thaksin Shinawatra.
''Somchai escaped the parliament building by crawling through a fence and was evacuated by helicopter. The deputy prime minister, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who had been the government's chief negotiator with Pad, quit his post. Pad has occupied the grounds of the prime minister's offices for months.
''The violence was the worst since Pad protesters clashed with pro-government supporters almost two months ago, prompting the prime minister to declare a state of emergency and call troops on to the streets.
''Last night the army dismissed speculation that the arrival of soldiers on the streets heralded another coup, two years after Thaksin was forced out and sought asylum in Britain after fleeing corruption charges.''
The Bloomberg business news agency headlined its report: ''Thailand Stocks, Currency Fall as Police Clash With Protesters''
''Thai stocks and the baht fell, while the cost of protecting external debt from default surged, as police clashed with protesters surrounding parliament, deepening concern the political crisis will speed an exit by investors.
''The benchmark stock index slid to its lowest in more than five years and the baht dropped to a three-week low after police this morning dispersed protesters who tried to prevent new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from presenting his administration's policies to lawmakers. Dozens were injured in the clash.''
In Australia the Sydney Morning Herald headlined its report ''Bangkok in crisis as mob turns on leaders''
''MORE than 100 protesters were hurt, a deputy prime minister quit and hundreds of Thai politicians were trapped inside the Parliament after an explosive day of protests in the capital yesterday.
''As angry crowds continued to swell around the Parliament building last night, the Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat, was forced to scale a fence with five of his ministers to escape the mob.
'We have to wait to see how the situation plays out. In my personal opinion it will be hard to get out today, but eventually we will get out,' the Agriculture Minister, Somsak Prisanananthakul, told AFP.
'The protesters' sentiment is very high now - we have to wait for them to calm down.'
''Attempts by ministers to negotiate with protesters from the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy were met with jeers from the crowd near the entrance to the building.''
Associated Press reported: ''Thai PM flees on foot to escape violent protests''
''The Prime Minister of Thailand was forced to scale a fence and flee in a police helicopter yesterday as thousands of protesters barricaded parliament in the latest twist in the country's seething political turmoil.
''Riot police fired tear gas in clashes with activists who had vowed to prevent politicians from leaving the building in the capital, Bangkok. A bomb exploded near where the demonstrators had gathered, killing at least two people.
''In total, some 380 people were hurt, including eight police who were shot or stabbed. Four rioters lost parts of their arms or legs as tear-gas canisters exploded near them. With no end to the violence in sight last night, troops were deployed alongside police to help restore order. ''
ABC News in Australia headlined its report: ''Two dead, hundreds injured in Thai protests''
South-East Asia correspondent Karen Percy and wire reported: ''A Thai woman has died in Bangkok from wounds sustained in clashes between police and anti-government protesters.
''Hundreds have been injured in the violence. The woman reportedly died of chest wounds.
''She was caught in one of a series of tear gas attacks near the national parliament building.
''Most of the injured were protesters struck by shrapnel from tear gas canisters.
''Last night the police continued to fire tear gas into the crowd in a bid to break up what seems to be an escalating anti-government movement.
''Three military units from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force have been sent in to provide backup for the police.''
