Government Troops Gain Partial Control of Protest Camp in Central Bangkok

Thai troops gained partial control of a protest camp in central Bangkok on Wednesday, using armored vehicles to break through barricades in an operation that killed at least four people, the Thai News Agency said.

Photo: Government Troops Gain Partial Control of Protest Camp in

Some anti-government "red shirt" leaders have fled the site protesters have been occupying in central Bangkok after troops began an operation to clear the area early in the morning, the government said.Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn added that the military had successfully gained control of the Lumpini Park area south of the protest site,

Government Troops Gain Partial Control of Protest Camp in

The Thai government on Tuesday refused an offer from the protesters to engage in talks mediated by the Senate. Government officials said they will not hold talks until the Red Shirts abandon their camp.

More than 60 people have been killed since the Red Shirts began their demonstrations two months ago. The protesters largely support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006. They claim Mr. Abhisit was illegally installed in office after a court forced a pro-Thaksin government to dissolve, Voice of America informs.