Violence breaks out at Thai elections

Monday, 03 Feb, 2014 0

Protests and outbreaks of violence disrupted Thailand’s general election over the weekend.

According to the BBC, at least six people were injured in gun battles in Bangkok on Saturday, the day before Thailand’s general election.

Clashes between government opponents and supporters led to explosions and gunfire near the ballot distribution centre in Lak Si, in the north of the capital,

The protestors had tried to block the delivery of ballot boxes and clashed with government supporters wielding batons and metal bars.

The UK Foreign Office had earlier warned tourists to stay inside their hotels if they were in any doubt about their safety.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand said the elections took place yesterday as planned "with little disruption to local life".

"Thankfully the elections passed in Bangkok relatively peacefully," it said.

"While there were larger crowds gathering in the capital, at the main protest sites, tourism and local business was not disrupted and life continues as normal. Bangkok is ready to welcome tourists, as is the rest of Thailand. We continue to monitor the situation daily."

 



 

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Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.



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