BANGKOK, Dec 27 – Police on Friday released 14 anti-government protesters arrested during clashes with police at the election registration venue yesterday which left one police officer and one protester dead and more than 150 others injured.
All 14 protesters were charged with obstructing the election process, intruding into state offices and gathering more than ten people to instigate unrest. They were released on bail early today after posting bond.
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Erawan Emergency Medical Service Center reported the clashes between police and protesters led by the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (NSPRT) at the Thai-Japanese sports stadium in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district yesterday, resulted in one police officer dead and 143 other persons injured.
The slain policeman, shot in the chest, was identified as Pol Sen Sgt Maj Narong Pitisit, 45, from Talat Phlu police station.
Among those injured, four including one woman, were seriously hurt and remain hospitalised. An NSPRT protester security guard was shot in the head and underwent surgery at Ratchawithi Hospital. Another one was shot in the chest through the abdomen, one with a fractured skull and an open wound in his head.
The seriously injured woman was shot in her left chest with bullet piercing through her lung.
Meanwhile, Medical Services Department director general Dr Suphan Srithamma updated the number of casualties, saying the death toll has risen to two. A seriously wounded man in his 30s, shot in his chest, was pronounced dead at hospital today. Overall there are 153 injured persons with 38 still hospitalised, 36 in serious conditions.
Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said the party-list candidacy registration has continued since 8.30am today, the last day, amid tight security. No police reinforcements have been requested since it it believed that there would be no further clashes.
