The misguided cliche that the first casualty of war is the truth once again lies tragically exposed. On Ramkhamhaeng Road late on Saturday evening, the first casualty of the anti-government protests was a 21-year-old university student. He was shot twice and killed on the street outside Rajamangala National Stadium.
Police yesterday said two people died and 45 were injured by bullets or blunt instruments, including at least one innocent passer-by, during the clashes that night.
Within an hour of the death of the student at the beginning of the Ramkhamhaeng Road bloodshed, the death was in the hands of the political spin-masters. The murder now has a dozen descriptions in the partisan speeches, media and coffee shops.
But regardless of what precise events led up to the bloodshed on Saturday night, the process is clear enough. After 30 days of steadily increasing political tension, a victim has died needlessly.
Whether he was attacked or ambushed, he is the first casualty of yet another round of political battles.
The promises of Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the anti-government protest movement, to conduct a carefully monitored campaign of non-violence lay shattered on the pavement in Hua Mak district.
What happened is a matter for police and prosecutors. What happens next on the streets and in the offices of greater Bangkok is a matter for the political protagonists to decide.
Kudos, then, for the quick decision by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to tell red-shirt supporters to leave Rajamangala stadium and go home.
Leaders of the rival Civil Movement for Democracy should have responded as quickly. It is not only simple but ethical to demand and order supporters to put down all weapons and resume peaceful protest. The message should be stressed doubly to the allied Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand. Members of that group had earlier attacked police.
Of course, no such edict occurred from any camp early yesterday. On the contrary, within an hour of the needless murder, Mr Suthep and the leaders of the red shirts were in complete denial.
In a perverse way, the two sides agreed on who was responsible: the rabble-rousers in the other political camp. Where they disagree is their refusal to admit the obvious, that it takes two to confront and cause murderous violence.
The streets of Bangkok look politically foreboding. A week which usually is the occasion of the greatest annual national joy, began with murder.
Tomorrow's military rehearsal of the King's birthday celebrations, as well as the traditional holiday on Thursday, are likely to take place while partisan political groups occupy the streets.
Everyone involved knows full well that the events of the past month, and especially the Saturday night murder, contradict the frequent and deeply-felt calls of the monarch. At the audience granted to all subjects for his 85th birthday last year, His Majesty said, "I always believe that the kindness and goodwill that you have towards each other will create unity in the country."
There are numerous ways to stop the escalation of violence. They include the offers of both the government and third-party groups to hold talks.
Adherence to the king's words and wishes however, would guarantee that good men and women will find a way to ensure that the first few casualties are also the last.