Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol dies in hospital as Bangkok suffers yet more violence

17 de maio de 2010 — The Thai government said it would accept a cease-fire offer from a Red Shirt protest leader on condition that their fighters returned to their camp in central Bangkok, as street battles that have killed 37 people raged for a fifth day.

The offer came during a telephone conversation between Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikuwa, who called the government's chief negotiator on his mobile phone.

It was the first direct talks between the two sides since the recent bout of fighting started.

The Thai government's ultimatum passed for the estimated 5,000 protesters occupying a barricaded encampment to leave the city centre by 3 pm or face up to two years in prison.

The demand had little effect, and unrest still flared in various parts of the downtown area, with troops firing live ammunition at protesters, who were lighting tyres to hide their positions, darkening the sky with thick smoke.

Red Shirts were also seen behind barricades with very primitive weaponry; using slings, metal pipes and firing firecrackers.

One protester was shot in the head. He was wearing a motorcycle helmet and was still conscious when other protesters carried him away from the scene.

Some protesters commandeered a fuel tanker from a petrol station and pushed it to the middle of the Rama IV road, a main thoroughfare that has become a battleground.

The protesters tried to set the tanker ablaze using a burning tyre and fireworks, but were prevented by troops.

And there was more bad news for the Red Shirts, Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol, the so-called military strategist of the Red Shirts, died in hospital after being shot in the head last week in an apparent sniper attack.

His shooting had sparked the latest unrest and his death raised fears violence could get worse.

According to government figures, 66 people have died and more than 1,600 have been wounded since the Red Shirts began their protests in March. They are campaigning for the removal of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and want to force immediate elections.

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