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UN appeals for restraint in Thailand

Thailand - 'Red shirts' demanding elections
Thailand - 'Red shirts' demanding elections

The UN has appealed to the Thai authorities and demonstrators demanding fresh elections to show restraint and avoid further violence.

One woman was killed in a series of grenade attacks in the capital, Bangkok, yesterday. 85 more people were injured.

It had earlier been reported there had been three fatalities as a result of the violence.

The Thai public health ministry said 30 of the injured were still in hospital and two were in a critical condition.

Hundreds of Thai riot police confronted the 'Red Shirt' anti-government protestors at a barricade in the city's business district earlier today, but later pulled back without violence.

Reports say any attempt to disperse them risks heavy casualties and the prospect of clashes spilling into residential areas.

Yesterday’s blasts came after weeks of rolling demonstrations in Bangkok, staged by the 'Red Shirts', who are demanding snap elections to replace a government they say is undemocratic and came to power illegitimately.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the grenades were fired from within the sprawling 'Red Shirt' encampment, but leaders of the protest movement denied they were responsible.

'The bomb attacks last night have nothing to do with our movement. We still adhere to a policy of non-violence,' 'Red Shirt' leader Nattawut Saikua said, accusing the government of orchestrating the blasts.