UN chief deeply concerned about mounting violence, loss of life in Thailand

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday remained "deeply concerned about mounting violence and loss of life" in Thailand, and called upon parties concerned again to take every measures "to avoid any further violence and loss of life" in the Asian country.

"Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon remains deeply concerned about mounting violence and loss of life, as well as the acts of arson reported today in Bangkok," Ban's spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters here on Wednesday in response to a question on the standoff between pro-opposition "red-shirts" activists and Thai government forces.

"He continues to urge that every measure be taken by both the Thai authorities and the protesters to avoid any further violence and loss of life and to address issues peacefully," the spokesman said.

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said late Wednesday he was confident that order will be restored in the country after troops cracked down on protesters.

The prime minister also said in a televised announcement that firm action will be taken to crack down on arson that has spread through Bangkok and other areas in an aftermath of the dispersal of the protesters in the capital earlier in the day.

Thailand's "red-shirts" leaders early Wednesday afternoon called an end to their two-month-odd rally in Bangkok, hours after the troops carried out a dispersal operation that has left 5 dead and 49 injured.

As the "red-shirts" leaders announced to end the rally and turned themselves in to the police, numerous arson cases and violence were ravaging Bangkok.

Source:Xinhua