Firing at Bangkok temple, 9 killed

Bangkok: Nine people were killed in clashes at a temple declared a "safe zone" within a Thai anti- government rally site which was shut down in a military offensive, police said on Thursday.

"Doctors and medical workers who went to the scene said they saw nine bodies inside the temple," Police Operation Center spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said.

The death toll from Wednesday's offensive against the 'Red Shirts' encampment in central Bangkok stands at six but authorities said they had not received any bodies from the temple, indicating it will now rise much higher. (Read: As violence spreads, curfew declared in Bangkok)

Prawut said a gunbattle raged at the temple in the early evening, several hours after the protest leaders surrendered and told supporters to disperse, as security forces struggled to control hardline elements in the movement.

He said that five injured people, including an unnamed British journalist, were taken to hospital by medical workers.

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An AFP reporter who was at the temple until shortly before the clashes broke out said that hundreds of panicked protesters took cover there after their leaders told them to leave the camp.

The temple had been designated as a weapons-free safe zone but militant black-clad protesters were darting in and out of the building as the security forces attempted to mop up hardline elements in the movement.

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People inside, including many women and children, were panicking and crying in the emotional and violent aftermath of the protests, and as explosions and gunshots continued to be heard outside.

The government had laid on buses at a stadium to take them home, but the chaos in the streets outside, where buildings were burning and armed men were roaming, meant that many were unable to reach the area.