LATEST: Thai military has
successfully gained control of Lumpini area south of protest site:
Government spokesman
Television reports show
that bank building near protest site is on fire
BANGKOK - FOUR armoured personnel carriers have entered an
anti-government encampment in central Bangkok, punching a hole in
the tire-and-bamboo barricades and driving in with troops behind
them.
About 100 troops took up positions along the wall of central
Lumpini Park and trained their guns inside. The armoured personnel
carriers provided the troops cover. But there were no protesters in
sight, and the troops did not fire.
The troops moved past smoldering fires, apparently set by
retreating protesters. The assault marked the first significant
push into the protest zone in the crackdown that began before
Wednesday.
Gunbattles broke out between troops and anti-government
protesters after security forces broke through barricades and
pushed inside the rally base, an AFP reporter saw.
Gunfire was being exchanged from both sides and at least one
'Red Shirt' protester was seen carrying a weapon.
An AFP photographer saw two people shot and lying motionless on
the ground inside the camp. At least seven other protesters have
been injured and sent to hospital.
In the face of the barrage, some 100 other protesters fled
towards the movement's main rally stage in their heart of their
encampment in Bangkok's main shopping district, which they have
occupied for six weeks.
Thousands of Thai 'Red Shirts' stood their ground at their
protest camp , but said they feared for their lives as security
forces advanced on their Bangkok rally site. -- AFP, AP,
REUTERS
