Nighttime attack on Thai antigovernment protesters wounds at least 20
One person has been killed and 23 others wounded in a grenade attack Thursday against antigovernment protesters occupying the Thai prime minister's offices in Bangkok. The attack marks an escalation in violence after a six-day lull and may herald an aggressive push to dislodge members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who seized in August.
This is the first fatal attack inside the government compound where hundreds of PAD protesters are camped out in a , reports CNN.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the attack occurred just hours after the cremation ceremonies of 鈥� the late sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej 鈥� ended. There had been a respite in violence during the princess' six-day funeral.
The fatal blast did not cause PAD protesters to disperse, reports Reuters. Instead, more people flocked to Government House to show their .
After the explosion, PAD leadership accused the government of launching the grenade attack and called for , reports the Bangkok Post, an English-language Thai daily.
The Thai government has rejected PAD's accusation and for the attack, reports AFP. Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat immediately denied any involvement and vowed a swift police investigation into the incident.
According to the BBC, however, the grenade attack may indicate a from Government House.
The months-long standoff between PAD protesters and the Thai government first turned violent on Oct. 7, when police fired tear gas at demonstrators blocking parliament, sparking clashes that left two dead and hundreds injured, reported 海角大神.
PAD's staying power has been evident in its ability to force the resignation of a prime minister and two cabinet ministers in recent months, reports the BBC. The antigovernment alliance accuses the current administration 鈥� headed by the People Power Party 鈥� of being a for former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The current prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat, is Thaksin's brother-in-law.
