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Red and Yellow Shirts Clash in Bangkok
Chiangrai Times – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung on Wednesday instructed the nation’s police chief to step up security during political gatherings following Tuesday’s clash between opponent Red-Shirts and Yellow Shirts.
The anti-establishment Red Shirt and pro-establishment Yellow Shirt camps on Tuesday confronted in front of the Crime Suppression Division on Phahon Yothin Road in Bangkok. The confrontation led to a brief clash, leaving at least five people injured and one pick-up truck seriously damaged.
Chalerm said that such an incident must not be repeated and ordered the police chief to tighten security procedures at venues of political gatherings.
Key Red Shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong, also leading Pheu Thai Party MP, on Wednesday urged supporters of both Red Shirt and Yellow Shirt to exercise restraint, saying they should live together despite their different ideologies and that such incident could damage the country’s image.
Korkaew also called on the Red Shirt supporters to avoid any action which will adversely affect the country and the government, emphasizing again that he did not agree with what happened on Tuesday.
This was not a crowd of angry youngsters. Many, on both sides, likely had long experience with political rallies.
Red shirts take one of their wounded away for medical treatment.