A Thai anti-government protester is in a coma with a bullet lodged in his head, a hospital said on August 17, as police denied use of live ammunition to disperse demonstrations against the country's Prime Minister.
A 20-year-old man was rushed to hospital on August 17 with a gunshot wound to his neck and needed reviving. He is now in a coma and an X-ray examination showed a bullet lodged close to his brain, Bangkok's Ratchawithi hospital said in a statement. A 14-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound on the shoulder, said a voluntary paramedic working with the protesters.
At least six people were injured in clashes between the protesters and police near the residence of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on August 16, Bangkok's emergency service said. Police said they would investigate the violence, while adding that officers used non-lethal means to maintain law and order, because all forms of public gatherings were banned undercoronavirus restrictions. "The police did not use real guns," Bangkok Police Chief Pakapong Pongpetra told reporters.
It was the sixth time in the past 10 days that police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse demonstrations, which have mounted against Prayuth over his handling of COVID-19.
Another demonstration was planned for later on August 17.
Demonstrations have gained momentum in recent weeks as groups who sought the Prime Minister’s removal last year have returned, drawing broader support from people angered by a worsening coronavirus situation. Thailand has recorded over 9,48,000 coronavirus cases, the vast majority of those since April 2021, and reported a record 239 deaths on August 17.
Thirteen people were arrested on August 16. More than 150 protesters have been charged over demonstrations since July 2021.
