Two dead, 123 hurt in clashes

Two people were killed and 123 injured in Monday's clashes between soldiers and red shirt protesters, the Public Health Ministry says.

Fifty people are being treated at seven public and private hospitals in Bangkok, while those with minor injuries were allowed to return home, permanent secretary for public health Prat Boonyawongvirote said yesterday.

Red shirt protesters shot two people dead when they clashed with enraged locals in Nang Lerng.

There are no reports of deaths caused by soldiers, according to the ministry.

The two victims were identified as Pom Polpuapan, 54, and Yuthakarn Toichoichod, 19.

Pom's wife, Banyen, a mother of two, said those responsible "will encounter the results of their acts one day".

She collected her husband's body from the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Police General Hospital yesterday.

Pom's funeral will be held at Wat Kae Nang Loeng temple.

In the drama leading up to his death, residents confronted red shirts who parked a bus near the Nang Lerng community and prepared to set it alight. Some protesters opened fire when the locals tried to pull the vehicle out of the area, Mrs Banyen said.

The Rights and Liberties Protection Department will give the families of the two victims 100,000 baht each and legal aid. They will also receive 400,000 baht each from the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.