The security situation for reporters has been deteriorating in Thailand as government forces and anti-government protesters exchange fire in the national capital. Three journalists were shot and injured on Friday when security forces and protesters exchanged fire that resulted in at least seven deaths and more than 100 injuries, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported.
Three bullets struck Nelson Rand, a Canadian reporter with France 24, in the arm, leg, and abdomen while he was reporting on the crackdown. Rand was in serious condition when he arrived at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn Hospital, according to reports. France 24’s website reported that Rand was recuperating after surgery in the hospital’s intensive care unit.
A photographer with the local-language Matichon newspaper was shot in the thigh while covering the crackdown and taken to Bangkok’s Bumrungrad hospital, according to the newspaper’s website. A cameraman with the local Voice TV satellite news broadcaster was shot in the leg and taken to Rama 9 hospital, according to local and international news reports. New York-based CPJ is working to identify the two reporters and their conditions.
“Shootings underline the dangers for journalists covering this unfolding story in Bangkok,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator. “CPJ calls on both sides of the conflict to take measures to protect journalists and refrain from armed exchanges where reporters could be caught in the crossfire.”
Journalists are at rising risk as sections of Thailand’s capital city have been transformed into armed conflict zones in recent weeks. Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto was shot and killed by a high velocity rifle on April 10 while covering armed exchanges between protesters and security forces. CPJ is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
