Key Red Shirt leader “Seh Daeng” shot in head at Silom

BANGKOK, May 13 (TNA) – Key anti-government Red Shirt movement ally Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol was shot in the head Thursday evening while being interviewed by foreign media at Saladaeng intersection.

Gen Khattiya, better known as “Seh Daeng”, was reportedly seriously wounded and doctors are now removing the bullets out of his head.

The shooting took place as Gen Khattiya was talking with foreign correspondents outside the Red Shirt barricades at Saladaeng intersection.

CNN quoted Tom Fuller of the International Herald Tribune as saying he was interviewing him at the time of the shooting.

Red Shirt guards immediately refused to send him to nearby Chulongkorn Hospital, but instead took him Hua Chiew Hospital.

After the shooting, gunshots and explosions were heard around the BTS Skytrain Saladaeng Station. The crowd hurriedly left the scene.

Police reported 20 persons were wounded in the attacks, believed to be grenades, at Silom and Gen Khattiya was the most seriously injured.

As Red Shirt protesters stormed Hua Chiew Hospital, claiming to protect their leader, hundred of troops have been deployed at the hospital to maintain order.

A Voice of America (VOA) reporter who was reportedly talking to Gen Khattiya said it is possible that Seh Daeng was shot by a sniper and after the protest leader was shot, gunfire and explosions were heard within the enclosed compound of rally site.

The Silom incident took place after the government announced to seal off the Red Shirt’s main rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection in an attempt to pressure the anti-government protesters to end the rally.

On April 22, Silom area was attacked by grenades, killing one person and wounding other 80. (TNA)