Asia-Pacific

Death toll rises to 16 in Thai clashes

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-15 09:28

BANGKOK - The death toll from a series of clashes between troops and the anti-government protesters on Friday in Thailand's capital Bangkok rose to 16, the Erawan's Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Center said Saturday.

Anti-government 'red shirt' protestors carry a man, who was shot during clashes with army soldiers, to safety past a destroyed vehicle near Bangkok's Lumpini Park on May 14, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

An anti-government protester is arrested by Thai soldiers in downtown Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday.[Photo/Agencies]

In addition, over 140 people were wounded as among these include both security personnel and civilians, Thai News Agency (TNA) quoted the service center as saying.

The injured persons were sent to get treated at 20 hospitals across Bangkok.

The latest development in Bangkok has followed the announcement by the Center for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), which said on Friday morning that it will keep pressure on the "red-shirt" protesters to end their prolonged rally.

The troops started to seal off the "red-shirts" fortified encampment late on Thursday, prompting violent clashes in which Khattiya Sawasdipol, chief military adviser to protesters, was admitted to hospital after being shot in the head.

The anti-government "red-shirts" rally in central Bangkok has been held from March 12 as the Rathchaprason Intersection in central Bangkok is their main rally site.