3 foreign media members shot, 1 dead

BANGKOK, 19 May 2010 (NNT) – Three foreign correspondents were shot, and one of them died amid the ongoing clashes between troops and protestors of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).

According to the latest report from the Police General Hospital, Italian reporter, later identified as Mr Polenghi Fabio, 48, died from a gunshot in the abdomen. Two other foreign media members, identified to be westerners, were injured by gunshots and were sent to hospitals by UDD guards.

The three reporters were shot during clashes between troops and UDD protestors at Sarasin Intersection at about 11.30 hrs on Wednesday.

Two additional bodies were found behind bunkers as they were shot at their heads on Ratchadamri Road near Queen Sirikit Building of Chulalongkorn Hospital. The two bodies were presumed to be UDD guards. Other seven injured people were sent to hospitals.

Troops are now advancing to terminate the rally of the UDD at Ratchaprasong Intersection while clashes are still breaking out in many parts of the capital city.