Thai protesters block army train

As the political turmoil in Thailand enters its sixth week, anti-government protests in the capital spill over to the northeast with demonstrators blocking a train carrying military vehicles.

The protesters claimed on Wednesday that the confiscated military vehicles were intended to be used to suppress fellow demonstrators in the Thai capital of Bangkok. Thai authorities, however, have denied the allegation.

Tensions rose in the country after a failed attempt by security forces on April 10 to flush protesters from another location erupted into the worst political violence Thailand has seen in 18 years.

The six-week confrontation has left 25 people dead and more than 800 wounded.

Meanwhile, as the government has warned to resort to force in dispersing violent protesters, the Red Shirts made a move to fortify their encampment in the capital on Wednesday, using tire barricades and homemade weapons including bamboo spears and wooden shields.

Government helicopters were seen flying high above the site of protest rallies early Thursday. Demonstrators responded by shooting fireworks at them.

The protesters are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and activists that opposed the military coup ousting Thaksin in 2006. They have described the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as illegitimate arguing that he rose to power under military pressure.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=124041§ionid=351020406.