VOA标准英语 Thai Military Move to Confront Protesters After Day

Thai soldiers are moving towards anti-government protesters in the Thai capital who have been demonstrating outside the main government compound. Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters clashed with soldiers, setting fire to buses and hurling¹ stones and firebombs.
　
Thai protesters and government troops face-off in Bangkok, 13 Apr 2009

There have been reports of gunfire as soldiers moved into the area near government house, where Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has his offices.

Protesters have been camped around the compound since late March, demanding the government resign.

Earlier in the day a protest speaker at the demonstration² camp claimed that soldiers had killed more than six demonstrators during the day's clashes.

"But, they took away the dead body. They would like to get rid of the evidence. We didn't find the dead body until now," the speaker said.

The Thai government issued a statement denying anybody had been killed, but saying around 70 people were injured.

The statement said the Thai Government was doing its utmost to restore peace and order and bring the situation back to normal as soon as possible.
　
Thai soldiers detain an anti-government protester following clashes in Bangkok, Thailand, 13 Apr 2009.

The government and military have promised weapons will only be used in self defense³.

Monday afternoon, Thai soldiers fired shots in the air to warn off protesters throwing stones, boards and water bottles at firefighters.

The demonstrators had set fire to piles of tires and buses, rolling the vehicles towards lines of soldiers holding riot shields and machine guns.

In other parts of Bangkok, soldiers fired tear gas and protesters hurled⁴ firebombs.

Protesters and soldiers took turns pushing towards each other then retreating.

Thousands of red-clad demonstrators converged⁵ on Bangkok for what is expected to be a final push to force new elections.

The demonstrators, known as the "red shirts", are supported by exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted⁶ from power in a 2006 military coup⁷.

The lack of security and instability has embarrassed the Thai government. A weekend meeting of Southeast Asian and other world leaders had to be canceled after protesters broke through security, forcing their evacuation.

1 hurling   

n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂

参考例句：

• The boat rocked wildly, hurling him into the water. 这艘船剧烈地晃动，把他甩到水中。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Fancy hurling away a good chance like that, the silly girl! 想想她竟然把这样一个好机会白白丢掉了，真是个傻姑娘！ 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 hurled   

v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂

参考例句：

• He hurled a brick through the window. 他往窗户里扔了块砖。
• The strong wind hurled down bits of the roof. 大风把屋顶的瓦片刮了下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 converged   

v.（线条、运动的物体等）会于一点( converge的过去式 )；（趋于）相似或相同；人或车辆汇集；聚集

参考例句：

• Thousands of supporters converged on London for the rally. 成千上万的支持者从四面八方汇聚伦敦举行集会。
• People converged on the political meeting from all parts of the city. 人们从城市的四面八方涌向这次政治集会。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

7 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。