Bangkok, May 18: The continuing confrontation between ’Red shirts’ and government troops is escalating day by day in Thailand. The United Nations has urged Thailand to “step back from the brink” to avoid further loss of life as troops and protestors today remained locked in a tense confrontation after deadly street clashes.
The five days of violence in central Bangkok has left 38 people dead and more than 270 wounded. Leaders of the “Red Shirt” protestors offered the government a truce yesterday but nothing came out of it.
Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had requested both the sides to negotiate to end the spree of violence, which has turned parts of the Thai capital into no-go zones.
“Ultimately, this situation can only be resolved by negotiation. I urge leaders to set aside pride and politics for the sake of the people of Thailand,” she said in a statement.
She also said the situation could spiral out of control as thousands of protestors defied government warnings to leave their fortified camp in the heart of Bangkok or risk jail.
“As the latest government deadline passes, there is a high risk that the situation could spiral out of control. To prevent further loss of life, I appeal to the protestors to step back from the brink, and the security forces to exercise maximum restraint in line with the
instructions given by the government,” she added.
—Agencies