Thai protesters reject talks with government

21 are dead and over 900 are wounded after a night of brutal clashes between Thailand’s military and anti-government protesters. After four weeks of relatively calm demonstrations in Bangkok, tensions erupted into violence, prompting a night of gasoline explosions, gunfire and tear gas. The anti-government group, the ‘Red Shirts’, have rejected a Thai government overture to end demonstrations and enter into talks, walking the streets today to mourn the dead. The so-named Red Shirts reject any negotiations with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and call for his immediate resignation. The group contends that Abhisit illegitimately came to power after the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was removed during a 2006 coup. Abhisit has offered to call elections by the end of the year, but protesters demand quicker action.