BANGKOK, April 10 (UPI) -- Clashes between anti-government Red Shirt protesters and government troops killed nine people and wounded nearly 490 in Bangkok Saturday, authorities said.
The violence came as street battles broke up when troops tried to take back parts of the capital being occupied by protesters, The Times of London reported.
A government official said four protesters and four soldiers died. Also killed was a Japanese journalist for the Thomson Reuters news agency, said Pichaya Nakwatchara, the director of BMA General Hospital.
At least 486 people, including 64 soldiers and police, suffered injuries.
Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets, while protesters threw petrol bombs and grenades, the Times said.
After moving into a section where the demonstrators were camped out in Bangkok's old quarter near governmental buildings, Thailand's army retreated Saturday evening and urged protesters to as well.
Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, an army spokesman, said in a televised plea a senior government official would work with the protesters "to bring back peace."
He said protesters have been "using real bullets and grenades" in the fighting.
Troops had earlier retaken the anti-government satellite TV station, People Channel, after the demonstrators got it back on air.
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters have demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and new elections.
Some of them are followers of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and faces trial on corruption charges.
