CRES blames snipers; witness says shots came from soldiers' direction The Nation
Authorities retrieved six bodies from Wat Pathum Wanaram yesterday. The temple was declared a safe zone on Monday.
So far, since the government's started its security operations to reclaim Rajprasong intersection from the red-shirt protesters on May 14, 51 people have died and about 400 have been injured. It still remains unclear who is responsible for the casualties in the temple compound.
According to the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), unidentified snipers have been active around the Rajprasong intersection, obstructing security operations.
Initial examination showed that the victims in Pathum Wanaram Temple had died from gunshot wounds. Of the victims, two were demonstrators and one a female nurse.
While CRES spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said unidentified snipers were responsible for the deaths at the temple, a witness said he had heard gunfire from where the soldiers were positioned.
"My friends and I served as volunteer nurses for the demonstrators," Wasan Sairassamee said, adding that he and his colleagues were working from a tent set up for medical personnel near the entrance to the temple, which was declared a safe zone on Monday.
"Shortly before 6pm on Wednesday, we saw heavily-armed soldiers moving to the BTS track. At around that time, more demonstrators rushed into the temple," Wasan said.
He added that he and his colleagues had initially decided to hide inside their tent.
"But when we heard gunshots coming from the soldiers' direction and saw a demonstrator fall down, a volunteer from our tent rushed out to help," he said, adding that the hail of gunfire continued after the injured protester was pulled to safety.
"We ducked and lay low for about 10 minutes until the gunfire stopped," Wasan recounted.
However, he said when the female nurse stood up, she was shot and died instantly.
"Bullets hit her in the head and the body," Wasan said.
An informed source said that up to seven people had been shot inside the temple on Wednesday.
"One was rushed out to a hospital and died there," the source said. "That is why there are just six bodies left."
Some of the victims identified include Wichai Manpae, 61; Mongkhon Khemthong, 37; and Attachai Chumjan, 29. The female nurse was identified only as Kamon or Ked.
Attachai and Mongkhon worked as volunteers for the Por Teck Tung Foundation.
Mongkhon's older sister, Somjit Sukprasert, said she was very sad to hear of her brother's death.
"Still, I am proud that he sacrificed his life for other people regardless of their political affiliations. He was always willing to help others, be they soldiers or demonstrators," Somjit said.