58 M79 grenades fired at security forces in Bangkok since May 13: Thai officer

Since May 13 totally 58 M79 grenades were fired at security personnel stationed at locations nearby the main rally site in central Bangkok, deputy chief of staff Lieutenant General Dapong Rattanasuwan told the nation in television program.

These M79 grenades were fired by armed men among the anti- government protestors, especially at the Water Gate and Bonkai area, he said.

The terrorists have also stationed on high buildings on areas nearby the anti-government main rally site Rajprasong area, said Lieutenant General Dapong.

The violent movements on several locations outside the Rajprasong area have been linked up with the anti-government group at the main rally site Rajprasong area, he said.

The anti-governemnt core leaders have attempted to create violence as much as possible in a bid to convince international organizations to intervene, Lt-General Dapong explained.

"The core leaders have tried to make the public think that the Thai government can not control the situation," Lt-General Dapong said.

However, the CRES will keep working in order to restore normalcy for the country quickly, the deputy chief of staff said.

Troops are now besieging the Rajprasong area in central Bangkok, aiming to pressure the anti-government protestors to end the over- month long rally.

"Also, the CRES daily assesses the troops' operations in order to avoid losses as much as possible," Lt-General Dapong said.

Following the troops' operations to beseize the Rajprasong area the protestors' number falls from 10,000 to about 3,000 to 5,000 a night, he said.

Source: Xinhua