BANGKOK • Thai police used water cannon to break up a rally at the national police headquarters yesterday, a day after clashes left a young protester in a coma with a bullet lodged in his head.

Protesters gathered in central Bangkok for a third successive day to demand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha resign amid rising anger over his handling of the country’s Covid-19 outbreak, which saw a record 239 deaths yesterday.

“We are out here protesting but in return we get tear gas and rubber bullets and a violent crackdown,” activist Songpon “Yajai” Sonthirak said at the protest, which saw clashes for the seventh time in the past 11 days. “We stressed that we are out here peacefully to express our disapproval of the government’s performance.”

Rallies have gained momentum in recent weeks as groups who sought Mr Prayut’s removal last year return with broader support from people angered by a worsening coronavirus situation. Thailand is on course to pass one million cases this week.

Police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said protesters threw paint, ping-pong bombs, water bottles and other objects into the police headquarters. There were separate clashes near Mr Prayut’s residence. “After repeated warning, we needed to enforce the law by using high water pressure that follows international standards,” he told reporters.

A protester at Monday’s rally is comatose after a gunshot wound to his neck, a hospital said, with its X-ray showing a bullet lodged close to his brain. The victim’s mother told local media her son is 15. Police said live ammunition was not used to disperse demonstrations.

At least six people were hurt in Monday’s clashes near Mr Prayut’s residence, Bangkok’s emergency service said.

REUTERS

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