Police get tough as EC ballot draw completed (Updated)

Police have used tear gas, rubber bullets and high pressure water cannon against protesters who unsuccessfully tried to prevent the drawing of ballot numbers this morning at the Thai-Japanese sports stadium. The day of violence ended with at least one dead and 96injured.

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20:30

The casualty number late this afternoon stood at one dead, a policeman, and 96 injured. The injured included 25 police. There were gunshot wounds on both sides and it is not clear who did the shooting.

Police and protesters alternated advances and retreats. For a time, police were forced back deep into the Thai-Japanese sports complex only to surge out later, smashing motorcycles and vehicles on the streets outside.

Perhaps the most significant event of the day, however, was a unanimous  statement by the five election commissioners that the election should be postponed. The violence was likely to continue they said

A statement released to the media said that if no action was taken to resolve and improve the situation, the EC would consider exercising the rights of individual commissioners to make a decision to resolve the situation as deemed appropriate, the statement said.

More tomorrow

17:40

The policeman reported earlier to be in a critical condition has now died. In addition the number of injuries on the police side is reported to be 25. The situation is very tense as a number of protesters are being held by police and a short time ago, police forced protesters to retreat away from the Thai-Japanese stadium, causing considerable damage to motorcycles and other vehicles, angering their owners and other protesters. A Channel 3 reporter said no rally leaders were there, increasing the possibility of violence.

The leaders had gone to Viphavadee Road near the Army Club and had blocked incoming and outgoing traffic in an effort to force the release of the protesters held by police. This caused heavy traffic congestion, but several minutes ago they left to go back to their base near Government House where shots had been reported to have been fired.

15:20

Many more injuries are being reported. At last count, the Erawan Centre said 54 protesters had been injured and at least six policeman, one of who was in critical condition with gunshot wounds. Police spokesmen at the the Centre for the Administration of Peace have said a third party, intent on causing violence, is likely involved.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission, in a press conference, is urging the government to consider postponing the election, citing the continuing violence.

12:25

Thai PBS reports that most of the protesters have now left the Din Daeng area, site of the Thai-Japanese sports stadium. This was partly prompted by rumours that their main rally site next to Government House was about to be attacked by police, a rumour they later found out to be false. Rally leaders are now trying to arrange transport for the protesters who remain in the Din Daeng area..

The conflict continued almost until noon despite the fact that the ballot draw had long finished. Election Commission officials began work at 4am and party representives arrived about an hour later, well before the main group of protesters arrived. The four election commissioners left by helicopter at about 10am, but there is still a group of EC workers inside as well as party representatives and reporters who have been unable to leave.

The Erawan Centre says seven protesters have been hospitalised for their injuries. At least three policemen were also reported to be inured and Maj Gen Piya Uthayo, spokesman for the Centre for the Administration of Peace, says they have had difficulties getting them out for treatment. Both sides are accusing each other of using real bullets during the clashes.

Police get tough as EC ballot draw completed

Police have used their full arsenal of anti-riot weapons this morning to prevent an invasion of the Thai-Japanese sports stadium by anti-government protesters intent on disrupting the drawing of ballot numbers used by political parties during their election campaign.

Representatives of political parties arrived very early this morning to enter the building before hostilities broke out.

Protesters under the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT) started marching to the stadium in the Din Daeng area at 6am.

Just before 8am, police unleashed a barrage of tear gas and rubber bullets as protesters from the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT) tried to break into the stadium, cutting chain that locked the gate entrances.  High pressure water cannon was also used, spraying water mixed with a purple dye, similar that used in confrontations near Government House earlier in the month.

As of 10am this morning, the confrontation was still continuing, but the ballot draw did take place as scheduled. Altogether, 30 political parties succeeded in getting their numbers.

Meanwhile, many injuries have been reported among the protesters from tear gas canisters and rubber bullets. One policeman was reported shot in the arm, but it is not clear if this was from a bullet or another type of projectile.

Protesters have accused police of firing tear canisters horizontally instead of in an arc, increasing the severity of the injuries suffered. But caretaker foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, head of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) said the police had acted to defend the Election Commission's proceedings and all actions adhered to international standards.

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