Anti-government protesters known as "red shirts", and Thai security forces have clashed in the worst political violence the country has seen in 18 years [Reuters]
Published On 12 Apr 201012 Apr 2010
The month-long protests began peacefully in the Thai capital of Bangkok, with both sides refraining from violence [Reuters]
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But on Saturday, troops aided by tanks and helicopters, tried to clear protesters from the Phan Fah bridge area and Rajdumnoen road in the old quarter of the capital, a base for the red shirts [EPA]
The move set off hours of violent street fighting [AFP]
The military used rubber-coated bullets, tear gas and live rounds, which Abhisit Vejjajjiva, the prime minister, said was only used to fire "into the air and in self-defence" [Reuters]
Red shirts fought with guns, grenades and petrol bombs [EPA]
Many were killed and hundreds injured. Protesters were among those killed, as was a Japanese cameraman [AFP]
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Soldiers were also not spared [AFP]
The fighting spread to the popular Khao San road tourist area at night [EPA]
And left the area looking like a war zone [Reuters]
