Several shots fired by unidentified gunmen have rattled parts of Thailand’s capital, prompting deployment of troops, even as the embattled Government sought UN’s mediation to end the persisting political crisis.
The shooting at four sites in the central commercial area of Bangkok continued for two hours and was stopped after troops moved in to the areas. No casualty was reported. last week’s violence claimed the lives of five persons, including four children, and injured several others. The spike in violence with almost daily reports of gunshots and grenade blasts prompted caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul to seek UN’s mediation to resolve the country’s four-month chaos.
He said he spoke with UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on phone and sought his advice on how to resolve Thailand’s political impasse. “If we could bring the UN in to initiate talks, a solution to the conflict in Thailand might be reached. I will propose this idea to a meeting of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CPMO),” said Surapong, an adviser to the CMPO.