Police defend tear gas firings

Police on Saturday defended the firings of tear gases at the anti-government protesters at two roadblocks, saying large number of protesters tried to break into the Government House which is restricted areas.

Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayoh said the protesters failed to follow police's warnings and some of them used nippers to cut the barbwires.

"We have no choice but to fire the tear gases at the protesters," Piya said.

During the confrontation between the protesters and police, five policemen were injured and two others seriously wounded.

The spokesman added police have detained 100 protesters and also confiscated from them knives, 30 bullets of 38mm pistol.