Thailand Clashes Kill Four As PM Charged
Thousands of police begin clearing anti-government protesters from sites in Bangkok they have been occupying for weeks.

新聞背景：
泰國警方18日出動2.5萬警力，前往首都曼谷多個被反政府示威者占領的地點進行清場。警方在清理路障時，與示威者爆發沖突，造成最少4死64傷，死者包括一名警員。警方成功奪回能源部辦公大樓，搜獲大量武器，并逮捕逾百人，是示威爆發3個多月來，最多人被捕的一次行動。
警方稱，他們采取和平手段清場期間，遭示威者以M79手榴彈和開槍襲擊，但有報道指警方最先開槍引發沖突。沖突爆發后，警員發射催淚彈和橡膠子彈，示威者持槍還擊，現場非常混亂。有示威者指控警員使用實彈，但政府否認。
示威者指控總理英拉同身為其兄的前總理他信的裙帶關系和腐敗行徑，并宣稱他信使用納稅者的錢進行民粹主義補貼和輕松貸款，這些做法使得他贏得了人口眾多的北部和東北部地區民眾的認可。

Tensions in Bangkok has been mounting for months. The icon? This eruption of violent clashes. Police were tasked with clearing protesters from roaring government buildings. The demonstrators refused to back down. Tens of tear gas fueled the chaos. Police say they were thrown by the protesters, then came the gunfire. The police were forced to take cover, then retreat. Reports suggest there are big fatalities and injuries on both sides. These protesters have been blocking access to state officers since late last year. The government led by caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has strong support from the provinces. But protesters mostly from the capital claim she's corrupt. They say she's paving a way for her brother Thaksin Shinawatra to return from exile and build a family dynasty to hold hard for decades. Yingluck held a snap election earlier this month. But the opposition boycotted it and in some areas even prevented voting. It's been impossible to form a new government as the political and economic deadlock continues. As for who controls the streets, that battle is still being fought.
Michael Blair, Sky news.