PM defends crackdown on protesters as vital for Thailand, where bodies lie in ca

[cavegal]

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/05/15/new-clashes-central-bangkok-troops-anti-government-protesters-face/  

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's leader defended the deadly army crackdown on protesters besieging the capital's heart, saying Saturday the country's very future was at stake. Protesters dragged away the bodies of three people from sidewalks — shot by army snipers, they claim — as soldiers blocked major roads and pinned notices of a "Live Firing Zone."

"I insist that what we are doing is necessary," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a defiant broadcast on national television, making it clear he would not compromise. "The government must move forward. We cannot retreat because we are doing things that will benefit the entire country."

On Saturday, the protesters launched a steady stream of rudimentary missiles at troops who fired back with live ammunition in several areas around a key commercial district of Bangkok.

Army snipers were perched with high-powered rifles atop tall buildings, viewing the action below through telescopic scopes. Thick black smoke billowed from tires set ablaze by demonstrators as gunfire rang out.

The spiraling violence has raised concerns of sustained, widespread chaos in Thailand — a key U.S. ally and Southeast Asia's most popular tourist destination that promotes its easygoing culture as the "Land of Smiles."

"The situation right now is getting close to a civil war each minute," Jatuporn Prompan, a protest leader, told reporters. "Please don't ask us how we are going to end this situation, because we are the ones being killed."

Since Thursday, the once-bustling commercial and shopping district has become a war zone with Red Shirt protesters firing weapons, throwing homemade explosives, and hurling rocks at troops firing live ammunition and rubber bullets.

The violence ignited after the army started forming a cordon around the protesters' encampment and a sniper shot and gravely wounded a rogue general reputed to be the Red Shirts' military adviser.

At least 24 people have been killed and more than 194 wounded since Thursday. Previous violence since the protest began in mid-March caused 29 deaths and injured 1,640.

These protesters agaisnt the government want "Social Justice" I posted link in DUmp section yesterday with comment on "social Justice" I find it strange also the USA shut down embassy a few days ago, when was the last time USA shut down in another country? For me it is just strange timing. Was it that someone was shot in the head in front of a New York Times journalist?

[The Village Idiot]

The "protesters" are an enemy army, two sides are fighting for control of the country. I believe both sides are led by foreign-educated wealthy men.

[JohnnyReb]

"Social Justice"...are the protesters Muslim?

[Attero Dominatus]

"Social Justice"...are the protesters Muslim?

Social Justice is a term for Marxism. That would make the protesters socialist or communist.