☰

M. Continuo

Witness says Thai army begins crackdown on protesters


    BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Thai army has started a crackdown on anti-government protesters and shooting was heard as they moved to secure a major junction in the capital, forcing back hundreds of protesters, a Reuters reporter said.

    He said protesters threw stones and retreated to side streets. Fires blazed in the middle of Viphavadi-Rangsit, a main thoroughfare out of the city going to its north, close to Victory Monument.

    Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Sunday.

    (Reporting by Kittipong Soonprasert; Writing by Alan Raybould; Editing by Jon Boyle)