(26 January) A core leader of anti-government protests has been reportedly shot dead as he led the protesters to disrupt an election venue in Bangkok's Bang Na district.
Over 300 supporters of People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) were led by Mr. Suthin Tharatin to Sri Eiam Temple in Bang Na to force the shutdown of an advance voting session held there.
However, the protesters encountered a group of Redshirts who were rallying to defend the election venue, and violent clashes ensued. Gunshots and loud explosion were heard. Mr. Suthin was later shot in his head as he was standing on a loudspeaker truck, witnesses.
At least eight people were also injured in the incident. The body of Mr. Suthin and the wounded have been transported to local hospitals.
Media reports identified Mr. Suthin as a prominent activist of PCAD, and a former executive of the New Politics Party, a political arms of the Yellowshirts′ official organisation: the People′s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Meanwhile, other smaller clashes and fistfights between anti-election protesters and their opponents were also reported elsewhere in Bangkok.
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