A series of grenade attacks rocked central Bangkok on Thursday,killing one person and injuring more than 50,including foreigners,amid a tense standoff between groups of rival protesters. Five grenades were fired into a crowd in the capital's business district,said army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd,where pro-government demonstrators were facing off with their rival "Red Shirts". One Thai woman died,according to a local hospital,after the grenades hit the mass of pro-government supporters. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva immediately called an emergency meeting with security officials. Ambulances rushed to the scene to load up bloodied victims after the blasts sent relaxed and cheerful pro-government crowds fleeing from the area,home to dozens of corporate towers and a notorious red-light district. At least one foreigner was wounded,the government said. Police later cordoned off and began investigating the blast scene,scattered with blood-stained shoes and flags left behind in the rush and small pools of blood on the pavement. Thailand's military said earlier on Thursday that it wanted to avoid further bloodshed in the standoff with the red-shirted anti-government protesters,but warned time was running out for the Red Shirt demonstrators to leave their fortified base. The Reds have paralysed the capital's nearby commercial heart and fortified their rally base with barricades made from bamboo poles and piles of car tyres as they campaign to overthrow a government they say is undemocratic and elitist. The army this week signalled it was preparing to crack down on "Red Shirts" camped out in Bangkok's commercial heart,after a failed attempt earlier this month to disperse protesters sparked violent clashes that left 25 people dead. But the mostly poor and rural Reds,who have been demonstrating in the capital for weeks in their bid to topple Abhisit's government and seek immediate elections,remained defiant and ruled out talks until the military withdraws. Abhisit also said it would be difficult to return to negotiations in the current climate. He declined to say whether the government was planning another crackdown but said the authorities needed to act "carefully". "We don't want you to risk your lives. If there is a clash you could be hurt by stray bullets," said the army spokesman Sunsern. "Your time is running out. Please leave the area." Earlier this week he warned that the protesters faced tear gas and live weapons fire in any new clashes with security forces.
