Bangkok Protests Turn Violent скачать в хорошем качестве

Bangkok Protests Turn Violent

BANGKOK, March 20 (Bernama) -- Anti-government protests in Thailand turned violent as police fired water cannons, teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds near the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Saturday night. The local media reported that about 30 people had suffered injuries and at least five people had been arrested. Earlier, the protesters had gathered at ‘Sanam Luang’ or Royal Field near the Royal Palace, to fly kites sprayed with images of jailed protest leaders. However, numerous scuffles erupted when protesters began to remove shipping containers that were blocking them from advancing towards the Royal Palace. The anti-government protesters had gathered there requesting the police to release protest leaders who were charged under Section 112 of the country's Penal Code, also known as ‘lèse-majesté’, for insulting the monarchy. The protests also come after the paliament’s failure this week to pass a bill to rewrite the country’s Constitution. Since mid-July, last year, anti-government protesters have been rallying in Bangkok and other cities, reiterating their demands for political change, including for the prime minister to step down, the dissolution of Parliament, rewriting of the Constitution and monarchy reform. -- BERNAMA