Thai anti-government demonstrators fire shots at government supporters

Bangkok: Thai anti-government demonstrators fired shots at government supporters as the rival sides clashed on Tuesday afternoon on a major highway in the Thai capital of Bangkok.

The fighting began when government supporters began throwing rocks at a truck carrying members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) as it was returning from Bangkok's old airport, where the group had been holding a rally.

The airport has served as temporary government headquarters since the alliance occupied the prime minister's office in late August.

The anti-government group responded by firing slingshots and at least two pistols from their truck, and then gave chase to the attackers, who appeared to number several dozen, according to footage shown on Thai PBS television. The gunmen fired about half a dozen shots.

The men on the truck, dressed in camouflage clothes and yellow armbands, appeared to be among the so-called guards working for the alliance, who have earned a reputation for aggressive behavior.

They also hoisted a portrait of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Thailand's revered monarch, whose interests they claim to be working for.

The footage showed anti-government supporters surrounding a motorcycle taxi driver and putting a knife to his throat. After the driver fled, the protesters hit several motorbikes with steel rods and set fire to another one.

The Narenthorn Medical Center said four people were taken to the hospital. It was not immediately clear whether any of the injured had been hit by gunfire.

During the brief skirmish, neither police nor any other security forces intervened.