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UN head Ban Ki-moon urges end to Bangkok clashes
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged protesters and the authorities in Thailand to avoid further violence after deadly clashes in Bangkok.
Mr Ban's office said he 'strongly encourages them to urgently return to dialogue'.
Recent clashes between Thai troops and anti-government protesters have left 16 people dead and scores injured.
The protesters, who want the prime minister to resign, are barricaded in a large camp in the centre of Bangkok.
Further outbreaks of violence have been reported overnight with plumes of smoke rising from sections of the city.
Troops have set up roadblocks in a wide area to stop supporters of the anti-government 'red-shirt' movement from reinforcing the thousands of protesters already in the camp.
On Friday, troops fired live rounds, tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with the protesters, who threw petrol bombs and stones at the soldiers.
'The secretary general is following with growing concern the rapidly mounting tensions and violence in Thailand,' Mr Ban's office said.
'He appeals to both the protesters and the Thai authorities to do all within their powers to avoid further violence and loss of life,' its statement said.
'He strongly encourages them to urgently return to dialogue in order to de-escalate the situation and resolve matters peacefully.'
The US has also urged restraint and encouraged the two sides 'to find a way to work peacefully through these differences and do so in a way that strengthens democratic institutions,' said state department spokesman PJ Crowley.
'No choice'
The Bangkok authorities have cut off water and electricity to the camp in a renewed effort by the Thai government to reclaim the city centre after a two-month stand-off.
Violence escalated on Thursday after a renegade general who supports the protests was shot in the head by an unknown gunman.
Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), is in a critical condition and doctors believe he is unlikely to survive.
The American and British embassies were among several foreign missions closed on Friday.
The clashes have killed 16 people and wounded more than 140.
Broadcaster France 24 said its Canadian-born TV reporter Nelson Rand had been hit in the leg, hand and abdomen. He has undergone surgery and is said to be recovering.
A Thai cameraman from the VoiceTV news website and a photographer for the Thai newspaper Matichon were both shot in the leg, their news outlets said.
A government spokesman said troops had come under attack and 'had no choice but to respond'.
The spokesman, Panitan Wattanayagorn, said soldiers were authorised to use live rounds in self-defence, for warning shots or against armed protesters.
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UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged protesters and the authorities in Thailand to avoid further violence after deadly clashes in Bangkok.
Mr Ban's office said he 'strongly encourages them to urgently return to dialogue'.
Recent clashes between Thai troops and anti-government protesters have left 16 people dead and scores injured.
The protesters, who want the prime minister to resign, are barricaded in a large camp in the centre of Bangkok.
Further outbreaks of violence have been reported overnight with plumes of smoke rising from sections of the city.
Troops have set up roadblocks in a wide area to stop supporters of the anti-government 'red-shirt' movement from reinforcing the thousands of protesters already in the camp.
On Friday, troops fired live rounds, tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with the protesters, who threw petrol bombs and stones at the soldiers.
'The secretary general is following with growing concern the rapidly mounting tensions and violence in Thailand,' Mr Ban's office said.
'He appeals to both the protesters and the Thai authorities to do all within their powers to avoid further violence and loss of life,' its statement said.
'He strongly encourages them to urgently return to dialogue in order to de-escalate the situation and resolve matters peacefully.'
The US has also urged restraint and encouraged the two sides 'to find a way to work peacefully through these differences and do so in a way that strengthens democratic institutions,' said state department spokesman PJ Crowley.
'No choice'
The Bangkok authorities have cut off water and electricity to the camp in a renewed effort by the Thai government to reclaim the city centre after a two-month stand-off.
Violence escalated on Thursday after a renegade general who supports the protests was shot in the head by an unknown gunman.
Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), is in a critical condition and doctors believe he is unlikely to survive.
The American and British embassies were among several foreign missions closed on Friday.
The clashes have killed 16 people and wounded more than 140.
Broadcaster France 24 said its Canadian-born TV reporter Nelson Rand had been hit in the leg, hand and abdomen. He has undergone surgery and is said to be recovering.
A Thai cameraman from the VoiceTV news website and a photographer for the Thai newspaper Matichon were both shot in the leg, their news outlets said.
A government spokesman said troops had come under attack and 'had no choice but to respond'.
The spokesman, Panitan Wattanayagorn, said soldiers were authorised to use live rounds in self-defence, for warning shots or against armed protesters.
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