March 11 – An anti-government protest leader on Tuesday ordered a security beef up following a string of violent attacks near protest sites in the capital, with the latest explosion at Lumpini Park wounding three volunteer guards, one seriously.
Three anti-government protesters rallying at Lumphini park were injured when a M 79 grenade landed near a tent where protesters were staying overnight and exploded before dawn today.
The protest leader’s reaction came shortly after an explosion occurred in an area just 500 metres from Lumpini Park, the main protest site, early this morning.
A 32-year-old man, identified as Ullmani Sewon, who is also a volunteer guard in the PDRC medical team, was seriously wounded and sent to nearby Chulalongkorn Hospital. He is now in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit. Two other volunteer guards were slightly wounded.
Thaworn Senneam, a key leader of the anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), said the daily attacks had nothing to do with the anti-government protesters but the caretaker government must be held accountable for the violence as it is enforcing the special security law.
Following the latest violence, Mr Thaworn said he asked the police to set up checkpoints along with the ones erected by the PDRC guards at Wireless Road. To ensure the protesters safety, a protective net has been installed around the makeshift stage and all guards will be on high alert to avert any untoward incident.
Mr Thaworn said he opposed the enforcement of the emergency decree as which adversely affected the country’s economy. The Internal Security Act enforcement does not bode well either.
Hours earlier, an M79 grenade hit the Chaeng Wattana Road near superstore Lotus but no one was injured. Police investigators said the gunman could have fired the grenade from a street near Klong Prapa Chaeng Wattana. The target was likely to be a security checkpoint manned by police and soldiers just 50 metres from the scene. (MCOT)
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