Thai police use water cannon to tackle protest against PM

Riot police launch tear gas at anti-government protesters during a protest near Government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, Aug 16, 2021. (Photo: AP/Anuthep Cheysakron)
BANGKOK: Police in Thailand used water cannon to break up a demonstration at the national police headquarters on Tuesday, a day after clashes during which a young protester was left in a coma with a bullet lodged in his head.
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Protesters gathered in central Bangkok for a third successive day to demand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha resign amid rising anger over his handling of the country's COVID-19 epidemic, which saw a record 239 deaths on Tuesday.
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"We are out here protesting but in return we get tear gas and rubber bullets and a violent crackdown", activist Songpon "Yajai" Sonthirak said at the protest, which saw clashes for the seventh time in the past 11 days.
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"We stressed that we are out here peacefully to express our disapproval of the government's performance."
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Demonstrations have gained momentum in recent weeks as groups who sought Prayut's removal last year return with broader support from people angered by a worsening coronavirus situation. Thailand is on course to pass 1 million cases this week.
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Police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen said protesters threw paint, ping-pong bombs, water bottles and other objects into the police headquarters. There were separate clashes near Prayut's residence.
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"After repeated warning we needed to enforce the law by using high water pressure that follows international standards," he told reporters.
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A man who attended Monday's protest was comatose after a gunshot wound to his neck, a hospital said, with its X-ray showing a bullet lodged close to his brain. The victim's mother told local media her son was 15.
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Police said live ammunition was not used to disperse demonstrations.
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