Thai army takes to streets
BANGKOK, THAILAND — Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in Bangkok today and gave the army control of public order after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters.
Under the sweeping emergency powers announced on television and radio, all public gatherings in the Thai capital will be banned and restrictions will be imposed on media reports that "undermined public security."
However, leaders of the anti-government protest movement that has occupied the prime minister's official compound for a week said they would not move. They are camped behind makeshift barricades of razor wire and tires.
"There are not enough jails to put us all into," Chamlong Srimuang, one of the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy that is leading the anti-government protests, told thousands of supporters inside the compound.
At least one man was killed and 34 hurt in clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators near the Government House compound, the worst violence since the alliance launched its street campaign against the prime minister in May.
About 400 soldiers armed with truncheons and shields were sent to back up police struggling to contain the skirmishes.
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