Thai Police Fire Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas As Anti-Government Protest In Bangkok Turns Violent

BANGKOK, March 1 (Bernama) -- An anti-government protest outside a military base in Bangkok turned violent as riot police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters on Sunday night. The anti-government protesters gathered at the Victory Monument early today, and marched to the 1st Infantry Regiment at Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The protest called by the Free Youth Movement was targeting Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha’s residence in the area. The protest turned violent when protesters began to throw water bottles and rocks at riot police, despite the protest guards trying their best to de-escalate the tensions. As tensions soared, the protesters briefly clashed with the riot police. The riot police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Loud bangs were also heard, believed to be from homemade explosive devices and firecrackers. Witnesses said rubber bullets were used against anti-government protesters who refused to stand down and threw objects at the police. There were no initial reports of injuries, however, medical personnel on-site said at least three suffered injuries due to tear gas. At 9.35 pm (local time), the organiser released a post on social media urging the protesters to ‘retreat (temporarily)’ as the police were firing rubber bullets and teargas.   Since mid-July, anti-government protesters have been rallying in Bangkok and other cities, reiterating their demands for political change, including for the prime minister to step down, the dissolution of Parliament, the rewriting of the Constitution and monarchical reform. -- BERNAMA