Thai Red Shirts General pronounced dead, death toll from clashes reaches 63

Bangkok, May 17 (ANI): Rogue military leader and Red Shirt supporter, Gen Khattiya also known as 'Seh Daeng' has been pronounced dead.

He fell prey to an assassination attempt and had been in critical condition in the hospital since Thursday. He finally succumbed to the gunshot that went through his head this morning.

Meanwhile, Red Shirt protestors determinedly continue to resist security forces, despite the government having declared the rally area as a 'live-fire' zone earlier. The establishment was also mulling the imposition of a curfew but there has been no such injunction yet.

The casualty count from the clashes continues to rise, it has now touched 63 according to the BBC, while the number of injured stands at 241, the Bangkok Post reports.

The government had issued a recommendation to all women and children to stay away from the rally site, though this has had little impact on the women's presence and they have ignored the Government's plea saying that they have found sanctuary in a temple where their children will be safe. (ANI)