A Thai soldier inspected the vehicle of Sondhi Limthongkul, who founded the People's Alliance for Democracy.
(Pairoj/Afp/Getty Images)
Leader of Thai protests wounded
A Thai soldier inspected the vehicle of Sondhi Limthongkul, who founded the People's Alliance for Democracy.
(Pairoj/Afp/Getty Images)
Associated Press
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April 18, 2009
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BANGKOK - A brazen attack by gunmen yesterday wounded the protest leader who helped topple Thailand's government in 2006 and paralyzed the capital last year, reheating political temperatures that had started to cool after several days of rioting by opposing forces.
Sondhi Limthongkul, an outspoken media tycoon and founder of the People's Alliance for Democracy, was ambushed on his way to work.
At least two men in a pickup truck opened fire on his car with M-16 and AK-47 assault rifles, police spokesman Suporn Pansua said.
Bangkok remained under a state of emergency and security was tightened around Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said the shooting should not be used as an excuse for more political conflict.
"We are concerned by the shooting obviously. We've got to restore order," he said. "We do not want this to be used to create a wider conflict."
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
