Protester Killed As Thailand Democracy Protest Turns Violent

At least one person was reported killed and 34 injured in Bangkok when protesters demanding the resignation of Samak Sundarevej, the prime minister, clashed with his supporters.

Thailand declared a state of emergency early today after the worst violence since an anti-government campaign began in May. Up to 400 soldiers were drafted in to help police the area around Government House, which protesters have occupied for a week. The violence erupted as 500 Samak supporters - some carrying sticks and wearing helmets - tried to remove the opposition People's Alliance for Democracy from the government compound.

Police and anti-government activists stopped them and fighting between the two sides ensued.

The clashes took place after state workers, acting in solidarity with anti-government demonstrators, threatened to cut off water, electricity and phone services at government offices and disrupt flights of the national airline from tomorrow. A coalition of 43 unions representing state workers said the move was justified because the government had beaten protesters.

The alliance claims the government is corrupt and too close to the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and recently fled to Britain to escape corruption charges. The same group organized the massive anti-Thaksin protests in 2006 that helped spark a bloodless coup. Protesters say that western-style democracy gives too much weight to Thailand's rural majority, who protesters say are susceptible to vote buying that breeds corruption. They want most lawmakers to be appointed rather than elected.

Samak has repeatedly said he will not bow to opposition pressure. "I am sure that I love this country as much as anybody," he told parliament. "But I love democracy much more, more than anyone who told me to resign."