Deadly grenade attack hits Thai government protesters

Published on Thursday 20 November 2008 09:08

A GRENADE attack on anti-government protesters occupying the Thai prime minister's office killed one person and wounded at least 23 early today.

The protesters have occupied the Government House compound since August and refuse to leave until Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resigns or is overthrown.

The protest movement has been the focus of several small bomb and grenade attacks, but today's was the first deadly assault at the compound.

The explosion occurred shortly after 3am while a band performed onstage on the front lawn, said Amorn Amornratamanon, one of the protest leaders.

The grenade landed on a giant tent near the stage, he said.

"I was listening to the music when I heard a big bang. I ran to the stage and turned back to see several people lying on the ground," said Wimonwan Pranratsmee, a 42-year-old woman among the wounded.

Army General Prathomphong Kesornsuk, who was at the scene, said the device was an M-79 grenade fired from a nearby building.

The protesters, the People's Alliance for Democracy, have vowed not to leave until the allies of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra are removed from power.