泰国示威者领导人丧生大选或推迟半年_时事

泰国示威者领导人丧生大选或推迟半年

Sutin, a core leader of the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism, was shot dead in a clash outside a polling station in Bang Na, where protesters had gathered to block yesterday's advance vote in the general election.

The main vote is set for Sunday.

Speaking at the Pathumwan intersection stage hours after the fatal shooting, Mr Suthep urged the military to form a special unit to help safeguard the protesters.

"The soldiers may set up checkpoints around rally sites to search for weapons and provide protection, because we don't trust the police," Mr Suthep said.

He said he wondered if the shooting was the work of Cambodia's special warfare unit, which he believes has been brought in to Thailand by senior police figures to attack the protesters.

"The rights and freedoms of the people are guaranteed under the constitution, so we hope the armed forces see this fighting and will protect us," he said.

However, he said he was not calling for a military coup.

Mr Suthep criticised the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), which has invoked an emergency decree in Bangkok to deal with the protest situation.

He said it was unable to enforce its own laws, and this allowed Sutin to be killed in the heart of the city.

PDRC spokesman Ekanat Prompan said as the attack took place during the invocation of the emergency decree, caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who oversees the CMPO, must take responsibility for it.