Latest Update : I dead, I critically injured.
Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, or Seh Daeng, the head of Redshirt security has been shot in the head at the protest site in central Bangkok . He was admitted to Hua Chiew hospital and is receiving an emergency treatment for a gunshot wound where his condition is said to be stable. At least 10 people were also njured in the clashes between the army and protesters near Lumpini Park. Demonstrators threw stones at close circuit television cameras and blockaded the area with steel fences.
Immediately after he was shot at Sala Daeng intersection, Seh Daeng was rushed to Hua Chiew hospital. He is still receiving emergency treatment.
Snipers carrying weapons and live ammunition moved into position prior to the shooting. Gunfire and loud explosions were heard near the area where the Redshirts are camped out at their protest site in Bangkok. The gunfire started after the 6pm (1100 GMT) deadline set by the government passed without the protesters moving off the scene.
Sean Boonpracong a Redshirts spokesperson earlier said, "We believe that this is the beginning of the army plan to crack down on us. We have been prepared for this for a long time,"
"We will send out groups to surround these vehicles to prevent them from advancing," Jatuporn Prompan, a protest leader said. "We believe the army will try to crack down this evening or tomorrow morning."
Earlier reports said army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda on Wednesday approved "Operation Ratchaprasong" involving 32,000 troops and 120 APCs to seal off the rally site.
The government had threatened to cut off power and water supplies to the Rajprasong neighbourhood of Bangkok, where the demonstrators are massed, if the protesters did not disperse by midnight local time (1700 GMT) on Wednesday.
The Prime minister's spokesperson Korbsak Sabhavsau said,
"It's clear that the red shirts have only verbally accepted to join the reconciliation roadmap but have not agreed to end the protests," In Thai culture a verbal agreement, is very different to a formal written one with an official presence.
It is clear that the Redshirts will not back down, that there will be a bloodbath if the army and APCs move in to the protest site. It is likely that marksmen are going to take out the hardcore leaders, as is usual with Eton educated British leadership with protest movements like occupied Ireland and other neo-colonies.
Earlier in the day, Seh Daeng or Commander Red said in an interview before he was shot,
"I'm not afraid of dying. They've marked my head. If I'm afraid, it is who will lead the Redshirts?. All I have on me is a small pistol and a stick ... ..If anyone comes to arrest me, I can assure you I'll shoot and fight to the end ..... Soldiers are on to me. There are snipers out there. But they'll never get me, I'm a Redshirt security commander-in-chief, I can't fear anything, I will not wear protective armour, such dress would make me feel like one who fears death and would prevent me from leading others who do not have protective clothing."
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"We will continue to rally here at Ratchaprasong. If the government wants to disperse us, do it tonight and don't wait till tomorrow because we'll fight to the end," Redshirt Leader Jatuporn declared.
He said army specialist Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawadipol, also known as Seh Daeng, was now in a stable condition after he was shot in the head. While he was giving the speech, Redshirts were shining spotlights at nearby buildings to prevent snipers from attacking the red-shirt leaders.
