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Thai protesters break into army base

BANGKOK — Antigovernment protesters broke into and briefly occupied the grounds of Thailand’s army headquarters, capping a week of dramatic, provocative gestures against the nation’s most influential political family.

The protests against the dominance of Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire tycoon in exile, and his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister, have included seizing of the Finance Ministry, cutting power to police headquarters, and occupying a large government facility.

The protests are the largest in the country since a military crackdown left more than 90 people dead three years ago. This time the government and the military have been restrained in their reaction.

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“We have not arrested a single protester,” a police spokesman said by phone.

Protesters were said to have used slingshots against an officer, whose bloodied face was shown in the Thai media.

Thailand has been shaken by more than seven years of demonstrations and unrest.

New York Times