Red—shirted protestors threatened to attack several mainstream media groups in Bangkok on Wednesday after troops dispersed their demonstration and arrested several of their leaders.
Protestors descended on Channel 3 News station and the Bangkok Post newspaper, both off Rama IV Road, forcing employees to flee.
“All staff were ordered to leave the Bangkok Post building in Klong Toey shortly before 3 pm as red—shirts gathered nearby at five—ways (intersection) and advanced down Na Ranong Road towards the Post building about 200 metres away,” the paper’s website reported.
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The protestors were reportedly angry with the two media groups because their reporting was deemed pro—government. They also targeted The Nation media group on Bangna Trad Road.
Thai troops on Wednesday attacked the red shirts’ main protest site on Ratchaprasong Raod, a central commercial district which occupied by demonstrators since April 3.
At least seven of the movement’s leaders surrendered to police avoid further bloodshed. That provoked many of their followers to rampage breaking windows of department stores and torching others.
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The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship began protesting in Bangkok on March 12 demanding Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve parliament and hold new elections.
Clashes with authorities have left at least 66 dead and more than 1,000 wounded.
A Japanese cameraman died on April 10 and Italian photographer was shot and killed on Wednesday. Half a dozen Thai journalists have also been wounded during weeks of street fighting.