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Bands of anti-government protesters smash car carrying Thai PM
Bands of anti-government protesters are roaming areas of Bangkok as a state of emergency was announced, with some smashing a car carrying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and others beating up motorists.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:53 April 12, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- Anti-government demonstrators attack a motorist in Bangkok, Thailand.
Bangkok: Bands of anti-government protesters are roaming areas of Bangkok as a state of emergency was announced, with some smashing a car carrying Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and others beating up motorists.
Demonstrators swarmed over two of three armoured personnel carriers outside a shopping mall in downtown Bangkok, while police stood by as the crowd hurled rocks, flower pots and poles at a car in which Abhisit was riding.
"I believe that the people have seen what happened to me. They have seen that the protesters were trying to hurt me and smash the car," Abhisit said in a television appearance.
"It's total chaos. It is scary and the military are doing nothing. Who can guarantee our safety?" said Martin Liu, a 36-year-old American tourist.
Abhisit vowed on Sunday to take legal action against anti-government protesters who forced him to cancel a major Asian summit.
Thai authorities also arrested protest leader Arisman Pongruengrong for his role in the break in at the Asean Convention Center.
Armoured vehicles were seen in the streets of Bangkok following the announcement of an emergency decree to stem anti-government protest across Thailand.
Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, however, said the presence of the military in the Thai capital was not a sign of an imminent coup but a measure to restore order.
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