Death toll rises to 16 in clashes in Thailand: national emergency center

Thai soldiers take position in street of Bangkok, capital of Thailand during a clash with "Red Shirt" protesters on May 14, 2010. The intense political situation has continued in Thailand's capital Bangkok as troops have been deployed nearby the main anti-government rally site Rathchaprasong Intersection in central Bangkok. (Xinhua Photo)

The death toll from a series of clashes between troops and the anti-government protesters on Friday in Thailand's capital Bangkok rose to 16, the Erawan's Bangkok Emergency Medical Service Center said Saturday.

In addition, over 140 people were wounded as among these include both security personnel and civilians, Thai News Agency ( TNA) quoted the service center as saying.

The injured persons were sent to get treated at 20 hospitals across Bangkok.

The latest development in Bangkok has followed the announcement by the Center for Resolution of Emergency Situation ( CRES), which said on Friday morning that it will keep pressure on the "red- shirt" protesters to end their prolonged rally.

The troops started to seal off the "red-shirts" fortified encampment late on Thursday, prompting violent clashes in which Khattiya Sawasdipol, chief military adviser to protesters, was admitted to hospital after being shot in the head.

The anti-government "red-shirts" rally in central Bangkok has been held from March 12 as the Rathchaprason Intersection in central Bangkok is their main rally site.

Source: Xinhua