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BANGKOK, May 22 (TNA) – The Thai government’s Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) on Saturday briefed envoys from over 60 countries on the mission to retake Ratchaprasong intersection and adjacent areas from the anti-government ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) earlier this week in an attempt to prove that terrorists mingled with the protesters.
Many military weapons seized from the protesters including M16, SK, and AK47 rifles, M79 launchers and their grenades, and hand grenades were displayed at thebriefing.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, director of CRES, told the briefing that a large amount of weapons seized from the protesters and from their protest sites between March 12 – May 19 showed that there were terrorists infiltrated among the UDD demonstrators.
Accompanied by several senior officials, Mr Suthep told the press conference attended by envoys, military attaches and representatives from more than 60 countries, as well as foreign journalists that the seized weapons will be used as evidence against those connected with the protests.
There are still many weapons left in the hands of protesters and others who escaped, he said, adding that police are hunting those who escaped and who possess weapons.
Mr Suthep thanked the Italian envoy for giving support to Thailand and sexpressed regret on behalf of the Thai goverment for the death of an Italian journalist during his duty in the kingdom.
The deputy premier said that he return to work at Government House Monday and that the weekly Cabinet meeting would be held there on Tuesday.
As for the curfew imposed since May 19, he said CRES would announced whether to extend or revoke the curfew on Sunday.
Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, a spokesman of CRES, said arson attacks after UDD leaders surrendered to the authorities on Wednesday were “carefully planned by those in and outside the country”.
Two types of explosives were used in setting fires, said Col Sansern. There were bottles of fuel and bottles with oil, explosives and nails. The latter worked as an anti-personnel weapon which also set fires.
Col Sansern said 11 soldiers and 74 civilians died while 411 police and soldiers were wounded, and 991 others were wounded or otherwise injured during the period.
Porntip Rojanasunand, director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said that the authorities had found car bombs at four locations.
Detailing the loations, she said that a vehicle loaded with chemicals to make bombs was found at Ploenchit; a 6-wheel vehicle parked in front of Mater Dei School carried an LPG gas cylinder in which a bomb was implanted; a container car parked at Chitlom intersection carried a fused-bomb and there was attempt to burn the car Wednesday; a pickup truck parked at Chalermlok near Patunam intersection had a bomb ready to ignite, she said. (TNA)
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