DHAKA: Gunshots rang out in the heart of Thailand`s capital overnight in an apparent attack on anti-government protesters that wounded at least two people and ratcheted up tensions in Thailand`s deepening political crisis.

The city`s emergency services office said one man was hit in the ankle and a woman was hit in the arm in the shooting early Wednesday, which occurred on a street in downtown Bangkok that has been occupied by camping demonstrators trying to bring down Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra`s government since Monday.

It was the latest in a string of violent incidents this month that have kept the city on edge and fueled fears the nation`s deadlock could spiral out of control.

In another incident overnight, a small explosive device was hurled into a residential compound owned by former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, shattering windows and slightly damaging a roof, according to Police Colonel Chumpol Phumphuang and Abhisit`s opposition Democrat Party.

No injuries were reported, and Abhisit - who resigned from Parliament last month to join protesters - was not home at the time.

Despite the incidents, Bangkok was calm on Wednesday and most of the vast city of 12 million people has been unaffected by peaceful demonstrations.

Source: aljazeera.com
BDST: 1132 HRS, JAN 15, 2014
MR/RS