Cops use rubber bullets to disperse protest
thai police fired rubber bullets to disperse a protest against the Apec summit in Bangkok, a police official in charge of the event’s security taskforce said.
About 350 protesters had gathered and clashed with police, Ashyan Kraithong said yesterday, about 10km from the venue where leaders of the Asia-pacific economic Cooperation group are meeting.
Videos on social media showed protesters trying to overturn a police car, throwing projectiles and charging at police, while officers in riot gear advanced on them with shields and beat them back with batons.
Youth activist Patsaravalee “mind” tanakitvibulpon, who was at the demonstration, said people were protesting against the Apec summit and thai Prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
“the police have overreacted. they are using rubber bullets on us and tried to stop us many times,” he said.
enforcement officers arrested 10 demonstrators.
“the protesters broke the law, physically assaulted police officers,” Ashyan said, adding that five police officers were injured.