Wave of Violence Sweeps Bangkok: Dissident General Is Shot

It was another bloody day in violence-stricken Thailand Thursday night, as a dissident general was shot in the head.

Clashes between antigovernment protesters, who have taken red shirts as their symbol, and pro-government forces, clad in yellow, have been ongoing for months. On Thursday explosions and gunfire were heard around the capital, Bangkok, and Gen. Khattiya Sawatdiphol, known as Seh Daeng, was shot while being interviewed by a reporter with the International Herald Tribune. The Associated Press reported that the injury was "severe." The general had served as head of security for the rebels.

Despite deploying troops, the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva—which demonstrators argue came to power illegitimately with the help of courts and the military—has been unable to quell protests. They suffered a humiliating defeat in April when a "red shirt" leader escaped from a hotel by climbing out the window as government commandos raided it.

Read more about unrest in Thailand in this NEWSWEEK story from the May 10 edition.