A blast wounded 10 people in Thailand’s capital yesterday when assailants hurled an explosive device at anti-government protesters who have camped out for the past two months to block access to the prime minister’s office.
The pre-dawn attack occurred a few hours before protesters rallied in central Bangkok outside the British embassy to demand the extradition of deposed Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is now a fugitive and living in London.
About 1,000 protesters sealed off the embassy’s street and waved “Most Wanted” banners with pictures of Thaksin, who was convicted earlier this month of violating a conflict of interest law and sentenced to two years in prison.
Protesters planned to march later through a main shopping district. The US embassy issued a warning for citizens to avoid the area if possible, and to exercise caution if anywhere near the demonstrations.
There was no claim of responsibility for the pre-dawn attack in northwestern Bangkok nor any immediate indication of who was behind it.
All of the wounded were guards for the anti-government protest movement, the People’s Alliance for Democracy, police Captain Pompet Chotelang said. The group has occupied the grounds of Government House as well as the Makawan Bridge leading to the office complex since April.
Thursday’s explosion targeted protesters at the bridge at about 3am local time.
Anti-government protesters said two assailants arrived by motorcycle, with one dismounting and throwing the explosive before they both sped off, police Colonel Viboonyut Santavej said.
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