3 dead in attack on Bangkok protesters

BANGKOK - Two young siblings and a woman were killed in an apparent grenade attack Sunday against antigovernment protesters occupying an upscale shopping area of Thailand's capital, the latest violence in a months-long political crisis that is growing bloodier by the day.

The attack near the Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok, home to major shopping malls and luxury hotels, followed an assault Saturday on antigovernment protesters in eastern Thailand that killed a young girl and wounded dozens of others.

The attacks were the latest in a spate of protest-related violence roiling Thailand over the last three months, with at least 18 people killed and hundreds hurt. The protesters, who are occupying several key intersections in Bangkok, want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to quit to make way for an appointed interim government to implement anti-corruption reforms, but she has refused.

On Saturday night, a 5-year-old girl was killed and about three dozen people wounded in an attack on an antigovernment rally in the eastern province of Trat.

The perpetrators have not been identified in either attack. Both sides in the ongoing political dispute have blamed the other for instigating violence.

A protest leader, Sathit Wongnongtoey, said Sunday's explosion was caused by a grenade. Six protesters were hurt Friday night by a grenade attack in the same area.

While the protesters have failed repeatedly to force Yingluck out through self-declared deadlines, they have blocked the prime minister from working at her normal offices and have sent roving mobs after her, making it difficult for her and cabinet members to make public appearances.

The protesters also have succeeded in delaying completion of early elections called by Yingluck, undermining efforts to restore political stability.

"I strongly condemn the use of violence in recent days that has caused many deaths," Yingluck said in a statement Sunday night, "both in Trat province and, especially, at Ratchaprasong today."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate end to the violence from any side, and urged the government to bring those responsible to justice.

Saturday night's attack in Trat, about 180 miles east of Bangkok, occurred as 500 anti-government protesters were rallying near busy food stalls.

Police Lt. Thanabhum Newanit said that unidentified assailants in a pickup truck shot into the crowd and that two explosive devices went off. It was not clear whether the protest group's guards fought back. Thanabhum and other officials said about three dozen people were hurt, several critically.

Both supporters and opponents of the protesters, as well as police, have been victims of the political violence, which before Saturday was mostly confined to Bangkok.

Thailand has seen sometimes violent political conflict since 2006, when then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck's brother, was ousted by a military coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. Thaksin's supporters and opponents have since taken to the streets for extended periods in a power struggle.