Thousands clash with Thai police in violent anti-coup protest

Bangkok, July 23 (UNI) Thousands of protestors clashed with police late last night in front of the residence of the Chief Royal Advisor in the first violent anti-coup protest since last September's military takeover in Thailand.

The protestors, including supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pro-democracy activists, broke through security barricades in the afternoon and camped in front of the residence of Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda, a former Army Chief and Prime Minister of Thailand.

Several people were injured when police tried to break up the demonstration using tear gas and water cannon.

The anti-coup protestors have been holding large rallies daily demanding the resignation of Thailand's military rulers and General Prem whom they accused of masterminding the September 19 2006 coup d''etat.

The confrontation snowballed as a section of influential academics and pro-democracy groups urged people to reject the country's new Constitution to be put to public vote in a referendum next month.

A section of media commentators and the military junta in Thailand alleged that the ousted Prime Minister was behind the anti-coup protests and the campaign to reject the draft Constitution in the August 19 referendum.

The military takeover has sharply divided political opinion in Thailand.

While some justified it as a 'necessary evil' to put an end to the political impasse created by the massive street protests against Mr Thaksin's alleged corrupt and autocratic government in 2006, others feared that it marked the country's return to the era when the military and bureaucracy controlled the government.

Supporters of the coup, including those who led street protests against Mr Thaksin last year, have also been organising rallies to counter demonstrations against the military takeover.

UNI