BANGKOK – Anti-government protesters set fire to a police bus down the street from Japanese and U.S. embassies in central Bangkok after troops fired tear gas Friday in a burst of new violence after nightlong clashes left one person dead.
The fighting, which so far has claimed 30 lives and injured hundreds since anti-government Red Shirt protesters began camping in the capital on March 12, plunged Thailand deeper into political uncertainty, with both sides hardening their positions.
An Associated Press photographer saw protesters torching the bus near a downtown police station and retreating when a fire engine arrived to douse the flames.
The area is near a subway station that has been closed since Thursday, and close to the American and Japanese embassies, which were closed because of the unrest. The British and the Dutch embassy, which are in the vicinity, also were closed.
Lines of troops were seen moving toward the protesters on Wireless Road where the bus was set on fire, while gunshots were heard in the area. But it was not clear who was firing.
Yahoo! News
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