Bangkok protests have turned violent and deadly after nearly a month of peaceful opposition. An anti-government group called the "Red Shirts" has been camping outside the capital; they are calling for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down, with a new election as the ultimate goal. On Saturday, the protestors rebelled against a military attempt to disperse them. Over 20 people have been reported dead and nearly 900 wounded.
Tear gas, gunfire, and explosions further aggravated the tension between the protestors and the government. The Thai army said that in the past day 60 soldiers have been wounded, and the Erawan Medical Center reported over 20 dead. One of the casualties included Japanese cameraman, Hiro Muramoto, who worked for Thomson Reuters news agency.
The Bangkok protests have caused the U.S. Department of State to issue a Travel Alert to the area. Since the current events in Thailand represent the worse civil unrest in the country in over 20 years, the United States is not the only country that is warming against travel. According to the New York Times:
"The political tensions have shaken Thailand’s peaceful and democratic image and cut deeply into its huge tourism industry, with 43 nations issuing travel warnings. Among the most recent was China, which canceled 100 charter flights carrying 15,000 tourists for this week’s water festival.
Bangkok has canceled traditional festivities on the well-known backpacker haven, Khaosan Road, which was the scene of bloody battles on Saturday night. On Sunday, tourists and Thais both wandered nearby, inspecting bullet holes, shell casings, blood stains and other evidence of the violence."
Despite the turmoil, the Red Shirts seem to be holding their ground, with many repeating that they are determined to bring democracy to the country. In attempt to calm the situation, the chief government spokesperson said that troops were withdrawing. After the government withdraws its force, will the Bangkok protests continue?
