Bangkok siege ends with Red Shirts leaders surrender to “avoid further losses”

BANGKOK - The political impasse prevailing over the last two months in Thailand has finally ended with the surrender of most of the UDD’s top-brass.

The UDD’s two most vocal and visible leaders, Jatuporn Prompam and Natthawut Saikua are among them, and the others include Weng Tojirakarn, Wiphuthalaeeng Pattanaphumthai, Korkaew Phikulthong, Yosvaris Chuklom and Nisit Sinthuprai.

Saikua said the reason for his surrender was to prevent further losses but that he was “devastated” at having to do so.

Earlier, Amnesty International had accused the Royal Thai Army of “reckless use of lethal force” in its campaign to seal off the protest zone, which has left 39 dead and 279 wounded since Thursday.

“I apologise to you all but I don’t want any more losses. I am devastated too. We will surrender,” the Bangkok Post quoted him as saying.

However, this justification failed to impress the protestors who went on a rampage to express their disapproval after the leaders surrendered.

In Khon Kaen Red Shirt demonstrators broke through the security cordon, and threatened to set fire to the city hall if the government did not respond to their demand for it to dissolve the House of Representatives.

Similar scenes were repeated throughout the city.

Meanwhile the Government organized special buses for protestors who wanted to go home.

Some UDD leaders are still at large. (ANI)