Ex-Thai PM to hear murder charge over protest death
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BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand's former premier Abhisit Vejjajiva is set to be charged with murder on Thursday over the death of a civilian during a military crackdown on anti-government "Red Shirt" rallies two years ago.
Mr Abhisit, along with his then deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, will be formally charged at Bangkok's Department of Special Investigation (DSI), making them the first officials to face court over Thailand's worst political violence in decades.
About 90 people were killed and nearly 1,900 wounded in a series of street clashes between demonstrators and security forces, which culminated in a deadly army operation to break up the protest in May 2010.
The charge against Mr Abhisit, who was prime minister at the time of the unrest, relates to the fatal shooting of taxi driver Phan Kamkong.
