Troops opened fire on Thai protesters in deadly clashes today as spiralling street violence threatened to plunge the country into chaos.

Troops fired on anti-government protesters rioting near foreign embassies in Bangkok today as an army push to clear the streets sparked bloody clashes.

Protesters in the Thai capital reinforced their encampment today as government efforts to blockade them overnight led to sporadic violence that killed one man and saw a high-profile Red Shirt military leader shot in the head.

A RENEGADE army general accused of leading a paramilitary force among Thailand’s Red Shirt protesters was shot in the head yesterday, apparently by a sniper, an aide said, after the government warned it would shoot “terrorists”.

A renegade army general backing Thailand’s Red Shirt protesters was shot in the head by a sniper today as the government moved to crack down on an opposition encampment.

A Red Shirt aide has said a military strategist involved with protestors in Thailand had been shot in the head as gunfire and explosions echoed through central Bangkok today.