Thai soldier killed during clash with protesters

A soldier has died and 18 other people have been wounded during a clash between government forces and protesters in Thailand. It is the 27th fatality in recent political violence that has divided the country.

The government’s Erawan emergency centre said the violence occurred on Wednesday as troops tried to block protesters from advancing along a highway just north of Bangkok.

Witnesses said the soldier appeared to have been shot by other security forces during a chaotic confrontation.