Nearly 70 protesters injured by tear gas, police charge at Parliament

Written by changthai11 on Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

Nearly 70 protesters injured by tear gas, police charge at Parliament

BANGKOK, Oct 7 (TNA) - At least 69 protesters were injured shortly after dawn Tuesday as police fired tear gas canisters and then moved physically against several thousand protesters blocking entrances to Parliament in an attempt to block the prime minister from delivering his government’s policy statement to lawmakers later in the day.

Two persons were seriously injured, according to hospital officials and the Erawan Medical Centre, which reported that about 69 demonstrators are being treated at three area hospitals.

A protester identified as Mr Thanya Khunkaew,30, nearly lost his left leg, which was almost ripped off, while a radio reporter was knocked unconscious and his back was seriously injured when he was hit by a tear gas canister.

Electricity and water mains serving Parliament were cut, but power was restored by using emergency generators following a short blackout.

However, opposition Democrat Party MPs and some senators boycotted the parliament session, as they object with the police use of tear gas to disperse the crowd and to clear the entrance of Parliament.

There must be 236 lawmakers attending the session in order to form a quorum.

Under the law, the prime minister is required to deliver his policy to Parliament within 15 days. Mr. Somchai was sworn in on September 25 and is due to deliver his government’s policy statement by October 9.

Thai share prices opened 2.71 per cent lower as the use of tear gas on protesters heightened up political crisis. (TNA)