Thai troops fire bullets in bid to end stand-off

THAI troops fired bullets at anti-government protesters, and explosions thundered in the heart of Bangkok yesterday as an army push to clear the streets and end a two-month political standoff sparked clashes that have killed eight and wounded 101.

As night fell, booming explosions and the sound of gunfire rattled around major intersections in the central business district. Local TV reported that several grenades hit a shopping centre and elevated-rail station.

Plumes of black smoke hung over the neighbourhood as tyres burned in eerily empty streets while onlookers ducked for cover.