Seh Daeng shot
Fresh violence kills one red shirt, injures nine, Army seals off protest site, commuters rush home
Published: 14/05/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Key red shirt leader and rogue army officer Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol was shot in the head in renewed violence Thursday night as security forces surrounded the red shirt protest site.
Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, widely known as Seh Daeng, is carried by fellow red shirts after being shot in the head at their fortified camp yesterday. AFP
One red shirt protester was killed, and nine injured in the shootings which erupted in mid-evening near Sala Daeng intersection and Lumpini park.
Maj-Gen Khattiya, a hard-line member of the red shirts, was shot in the head and critically wounded close to Chulalongkorn Hospital as he spoke to journalists.
The fresh violence flared up hours after the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) announced a plan to close three roads around the Ratdhchaprasong intersection to seal off the protest site from 6pm.
Erawan Emergency Centre director Phetpong Kamchornkitjakarn said last night that Maj-Gen Khattiya, alias Seh Daeng, sustained a severe head injury.
He was shot in the forehead while he was giving interview to a group of foreign reporters. The bullet exited through the nape of his neck.
He was taken to Hua Chiew Hospital, close to Chulalongkorn Hospital, a few metres away from where he was shot.
The army specialist, wearing a breathing aide, was seen on television while he was moved from an emergency room to a surgery room.
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Earlier, red shirt protesters and 150 anti-riot police swarmed the Hua Chiew Hospital site. Another 150 troops were deployed outside.
Late Thursday night he was transferred to Vajira Hospital.
Maj-Gen Khattiya's shooting came less than an hour after security forces began their blockade to mount pressure on the red shirt protesters.
The army specialist was shot after emerging from the red shirts' fortified encampment with a group of foreign journalists about 7.30pm.
During the interview near the fence of Chulalongkorn Hospital, Maj Gen Khattiya fell to the ground after being shot by a high-powered rifle.
Shortly after the shooting, at least four explosions and gunfire were heard, sending passers-by and protesters ducking for cover. Two other protesters at Sala Daeng intersection were injured.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Malinee Sukavejworakit said Seh Daeng could not breathe by himself and had to rely on a respirator.
Around 10pm, red shirt protesters clashed with security forces near Lumpini Park. The forces fired rubber bullets against protesters. One man, Chartchai Chalao, 25, died after being shot in the face. Five sustained wounds.
Four protesters _ one woman, and three men _ were sent to Chulalongkorn Hospital.
Chartchai died later in the hospital. Another two protesters sustained gunshot wounds to the arms. Kannikar Marutanon, 40, was wounded in the shoulder.
A fourth protester was injured at Ratchaprasong intersection, the main venue of the red shirt rally, said Dr Phetpong of the Erawan Emergency Centre.
The atmosphere at the red shirt stage was tense as news about the attack on Seh Daeng spread. Protest leaders huddled to discuss the situation before appearing, surrounded by guards, on stage. They vowed to fight on.
Co-leader Jatuporn Prompan said the attack on Maj Gen Khattiya could not sway them from their course and he was willing to shed blood for justice and democracy.
''If the death can bring democracy and justice, we are ready to die. We are ready to face it. We are here to take the bullets,'' he said.
Co-leader Nattawut Saikua told the red shirt protesters at Ratchaprasong that their lives were in danger.
''Those behind the attack wanted to tell us that even Seh Daeng could be shot, so other red shirt protesters can be harmed too,'' Mr Nattawut said.
Red shirt's speakers also urged red shirt members to donate AB group blood for Seh Daeng. The hospital, however, denied calling for blood donations.
Several leaders wanted to disperse the crowd and negotiate with the government, but Mr Jatuporn _ regarded as a hard-liner _ refused to step down.
Earlier in the day, Maj Gen Khattiya said that he was ready to take the helm of the red shirt protest if the leaders withdrew.
He said he and ''hard-core'' red shirt leaders such as Arisman Pongruangrong, Suporn Atthawong, Kwanchai Praipanan and Payap Pankate were ready to lead.
''If these [other] leaders accept the government's conditions and send the crowds home, we will fight until we win,'' he said.
''We will use the trucks as barriers and we will drop firebombs on the armoured vehicles,'' he said.
The CRES yesterday prohibited all kinds of transportation on Phaya Thai Road, Phetchaburi Road, and Wireless Road from 6pm and cut off mobile phone signals in the area.
Checkpoints were set up along the blocked roads to prevent more protesters from entering the sealed zone. Those who wanted to leave were urged to do so.
Armoured vehicles were also deployed to barricade the protest site and sharpshooters sent in to protect security forces from ''terrorist elements'' mingling with red shirt protesters.
The cabinet yesterday also approved enforcement of the state of emergency decree in another 15 provinces where the red shirts are known to be particularly active.
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