14/02/2014 16:09
Thai police confront protesters
Thousands of Thai riot police faced off against anti-government demonstrators in Bangkok Friday as they attempted to seize sites occupied by protesters for months, CNN reported.
Security forces only succeeded in narrowing the areas held by protesters in some parts of the city, but vowed to return to continue their efforts Saturday. The stand-offs passed without serious violence, although a journalist sustained minor injuries when a protester near Government House threw a firecracker.
Demonstrators opposed to the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have been camped out since November at sites including Government House -- the office of the prime minister and appointed cabinet ministers -- and the government complex in the Chaengwattana area of Bangkok's suburbs.
But Lt. Gen. Paradon Patthanathabut, Thailand's national security chief, told CNN that enough was enough.
"Public sentiment now is 'That's enough.' It has gone beyond peaceful protest," he said.
The protesters' actions were blocking public access to government services, making intervention by authorities necessary, he said.
"We are going to enforce the law against protesters in certain areas."
While security forces succeeded in seizing only some of the territory held by protesters, he said they would be back tomorrow.
"We have withdrawn our forces and will go back there again tomorrow," said Paradon. "We were there to express our seriousness that we have to retake the area, (or) at least open up the roads for public."
He said he did not expect events to turn violent, saying his approach was to attempt negotiations before sending in teams to retake the area.