Red-yellow clash was 'instigated', police say

The Nation

September 27, 2012 1:00 am

Tuesday's clash between the yellow shirts and red shirts seemed to be instigated, a police officer said yesterday.

"I don't know which group it was, but there were hard-core people trying to cause chaos," Crime Suppression Division deputy commander Pol Colonel Prasopchok Prommoon said yesterday.

"The clash happened after police had talked to the protesters and they had agreed to disperse," he said. "We separated the red shirts to the left side of the gate and the yellow shirts to the right side - police officers were in the middle. But the clash spilled out like the student brawls and the area is big, so it was difficult to control."

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung issued a "first come, first-served" rule for subsequent demonstrations - the first group to arrive may remain while the rivals must go elsewhere.

Tuesday's clash occurred at the Crime Suppression Division headquarters when hundreds of members of the rival groups gathered for a summons hearing of schoolteacher Manassanan Nookham, who faces a defamation lawsuit filed by red-shirt leader Darunee Kritboonyalai. In the melee, the groups threw water bottles and rocks at each other. Five people were injured.

The groups had been mistakenly informed of the date of the summons hearing, which was to be today. It has been rescheduled for October 29.

Red-shirt leader Kokaew Pikulthong, a Pheu Thai MP, called on the yellow-shirt leaders to control their supporters. He also warned the red-shirt supporters to behave to prevent any negative publicity for the government.

Latest stories in this category

• PM discusses trade with EU in NY


• Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday..


• Bt175m budget for foreign trips


• Sondhi cleared of lese majeste charges

We Recommend

• Highest rainfall in 50 years; more to come


• BMA urges patience; storms to soak city until..


• Red Bull heir pays Bt3m to victim's family


• AIT feud puts a great Thai university at risk

Comments conditions

Users are solely responsible for their comments.We reserve the right to remove any comment and revoke posting rights for any reason withou prior notice.

Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2012/09/27/red-yellow-clash-was-instigated-police-say/