Thailand: Clashes in Bangkok despite plea by protest leader to supporters to refrain from violence

Veteran political activist Nattawut Saikua speaks as he urges demonstrators to head home during a protest in Bangkok, on Sunday (Aug 15, 2021). - Reuters

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (The Straits Times/ANN): Protesters and police clashed again on Sunday (Aug 15) in spite of a plea by a protest leader to supporters to avoid confrontation with the authorities.

A group of protesters, armed with slingshots and firecrackers, and mostly on foot or riding motorcycles, faced off against police, who fired tear gas and water cannons at around 5pm at Bangkok’s Din Daeng intersection - the site of several violent clashes last week.