BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand’s prime minister declared a state of emergency in the capital today after street fighting overnight between supporters and opponents of the government left one man dead and dozens injured.
The developments followed a threat by state workers to cut off water, electricity and phone service at government offices and disrupt flights of the national airline in support of protesters trying to bring down Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
An announcement broadcast on all Thai television stations at 7 a.m. local time said Samak had decreed a state of emergency in Bangkok and Army Gen. Anupong Paochinda was in charge of enforcing it.
In Thailand, a state of emergency allows the use of military forces in policing activities, and suspends some civil liberties.
A week of political tension exploded into violence this morning between protesters seeking to topple Samak and mobs of his supporters.
About 500 Samak supporters marched through the streets proclaiming they were going to retake the prime minister’s office compound, which has been occupied since Aug. 26 by the People’s Alliance for Democracy.
The mob scuffled with police about halfway to the Government House complex, then battled with alliance members, both sides wielding sticks and clubs.
Police were unable to stop the fighting, which eased up only after army troops with riot gear — but no guns — reached the scene.
Troops were able to keep the antagonists apart, but few on either side dispersed, keeping the area a flashpoint for further trouble.
One person died from severe head injuries and four others were in serious condition, two with gunshot wounds, Dr. Petchapon Kumtonkitjakarn of the Erawan Medical Center told The Associated Press. He said 37 people were being treated for injuries at several hospitals.
On Monday, a coalition of 43 unions representing workers at state companies including water, electric, phone and the national airline said they would cut off services to the government starting Wednesday in support of the anti-government protests. They already were disrupting rail service.
