DHAKA: Seven people were wounded, one seriously, after gunmen opened fire on anti-government protesters in Bangkok early on Saturday, heightening fears of more violence when protesters try to ‘shutdown’ the capital next week in their long-running bid to overthrow prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

‘Two shootouts occurred in the early hours of this morning at an intersection near the Khao San Road tourist area. Altogether seven people were injured, most of them anti-government protesters. We are still investigating who the gunmen were,’ said national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew, reports The Straits Times.

One of the injured protesters remains in a critical condition, according to the Erawan Medical Centre which monitors Bangkok hospitals.

The incident follows clashes between government supporters and protesters on Friday outside Bangkok that left at least six people injured.

BDST: 1508 HRS, JAN 11, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor