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.

新闻背景：
泰国警方18日出动2.5万警力，前往首都曼谷多个被反政府示威者占领的地点进行清场。警方在清理路障时，与示威者爆发冲突，造成最少4死64伤，死者包括一名警员。警方成功夺回能源部办公大楼，搜获大量武器，并逮捕逾百人，是示威爆发3个多月来，最多人被捕的一次行动。
警方称，他们采取和平手段清场期间，遭示威者以M79手榴弹和开枪袭击，但有报道指警方最先开枪引发冲突。冲突爆发后，警员发射催泪弹和橡胶子弹，示威者持枪还击，现场非常混乱。有示威者指控警员使用实弹，但政府否认。
示威者指控总理英拉同身为其兄的前总理他信的裙带关系和腐败行径，并宣称他信使用纳税者的钱进行民粹主义补贴和轻松贷款，这些做法使得他赢得了人口众多的北部和东北部地区民众的认可。

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.