Clashes in Thailand

• Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas on April 12 after the antigovernment protests by “Red Shirt” supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in 2006, grew more violent.

For 2½ weeks, the PM’s residence and the Government House had been besieged. Police and military forces were called in to restore order, and clashes between protestors and locals resulted in two deaths and more than 100 people injured following 24 hours of violence.

On April 14, thousands of protestors abruptly left the city and a number of antigovernment leaders were arrested.

• Thailand’s tourist areas of Pha Mor E-Daeng cliff, the Khao Phra Viharn National Park and its gate to the Preah Vihear temple in Si Sa Ket province were closed indefinitely after Thai and Cambodian soldiers clashed twice on April 2, killing two on each side. Both countries claim to own Phu Ma Khua, a few miles west of Preah Vihear temple.