A foreign journalist has been shot during protests between troops and anti-government protesters in Thailand.
The condition of the journalist is not known.
It follows increased violence in Bangkok after Red Shirts set fire to a bus in a new burst of violence.
In a night of trouble troops fired tear gas as they advanced on dozens of Red Shirts who had set up a checkpoint outside a market in the capital.
The protesters had gathered outside the Suan Lum market to stop soldiers from moving towards their main camp in central Bangkok.
There have also been reports of gunfire between the two sides.
Army spokesman Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said there were about 2,000 Red Shirts and they had “intimidated authorities with weapons” so an order was given Friday morning to disperse them.
Around the wider protest area soldiers have blocked roads and set up checkpoints to seal off the area.
On Thursday evening renegade army Major General Khattiya Sawasdiphol was shot in the head and is in a critical condition in hospital.
He has been accused of creating the Red Shirt anti-government force in Thailand.
The British Embassy in Bangkok has closed and the Foreign Office is warning British nationals against travelling there unless the trip is vital.
The violence follows Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s decision to call off elections planned for November.
“I have cancelled the election date… because protesters refuse to disperse,” the Prime Minister said earlier.
“I have told security officials to restore normality as soon as possible.”
