Red shirt protesters may be charged

Police threatened yesterday to take legal action against "red-shirt" protesters who threw rocks at vehicles leaving Parliament, causing damage and injuries.

Police had photos and videos of rowdy protesters and would take action against them, Lt Gen Suchart Muenkaew of the Metropolitan Police said.

The protesters, who support former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party, turned violent after learning that Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected prime minister.

They used police's barriers to briefly block the gates of Parliament. After the blockade was broken, the protesters waited beside a gate and threw rocks at vehicles leaving the Parliament compound.

Windscreens and windows of several vehicles were smashed and several people, including a reporter, were injured.

They also threw stones and objects into the Parliament compound, forcing officials and reporters to take cover.

Suchart said police managed to control the situation after the protesters dispersed outside Parliament and regrouped at Sanam Luang.

More police were deployed to the area but they failed to calm the protesters. Police had to use shields to push the mob back. Vehicles were allowed to leave the compound.