One protest leader killed as demonstrators block early voting in Thailand

[BANGKOK] A man identified by police as one of the leaders of anti-government protests in Thailand was shot dead yesterday when violence erupted as demonstrators in Bangkok blocked early voting in many areas for an election next week.

A police spokesman identified the dead man as Suthin Taratin, one of the protest leaders. "At least five other people were injured," he added.

Reports say Mr Suthin was gunned down while giving a speech from the back of a pick-up truck in a Bangkok suburb.

It was not immediately clear who had fired the shots but the protesters accused the government and police of trying to intimidate them. "Suthin was shot in the head ... The government has allowed thugs to use weapons," Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the protesters, told reporters. Mr Akanat said a "pro-government mob" had carried out…