Acid, bombs thrown in rubber protest
PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN ― Clashes broke out between riot police and rubber farmers who tried to block Petchkasem Road in Ban Sang district late on Thursday evening, leaving many injured from acid and ping-pong bomb attacks, including the chief of the provincial police. The first clash, which lasted about 40 minutes, began at 6pm when 1,000 angry protesters tried to close both inbound and outbound lanes of Petchkasem Road at the 412–413 kilometre markers with 50 tractor and car tyres.
Police appealed to the demonstrators not to block the traffic, tell them it was illegal. The farmers ignored the appeal, forcing riot police to disperse them. The clash, which involved pushing and jostling, lasted about 40 minutes before the farmers retreated to one side of the road. Acid used in rubber production was reportedly thrown at the police, injuring many, including Pol Maj Gen Thanes Soonthornsook, chief of Prachuap Khiri Khan, who sustained abdominal injuries.
Confrontations and chaos continued intermittently into the night, with the sound of giant firecrackers being heard occasionally. Some teenage protesters hurled ping pong bombs and fired slingshots at police. Some reports said five farmers and 12 police were hurt. At least 11 protesters were arrested, including two farm leaders Chamrong Srithongkorn and Kasem Boonchana. They were charged with hurling giant firecrackers and glass bottles at officers
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