Thai army fail to arrest any red-shirt leaders

BANGKOK, April 16 (Xinhua) -- All red-shirt leaders escaped from an army crackdown in the SC Park hotel in eastern Bangkok, local TV PBS reported Friday.

"Red-shirts" leader Arisman (C) speaks at a press conference in the Rathchaprasong  area in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 16, 2010. At least five "Red-shirts"  leaders escaped from roundup by Thai security forces Friday from a hotel.  (Xinhua/Huang Xiaoyong)

A security officer was injured during the operation to search for alleged "terrorists" and red-shirt leaders hiding there.

Police found bullets and bombs in the room resided by one of the red-shirt leaders Arisaman Pongruangrong.

Hundreds of red-shirt protesters gathering at the hotel to rescue their leaders are leaving for their rally site at the Rajaprasong intersection after seeing the army fail to arrest anying red-shirt leaders.

Thai special forces earlier besieged SC Park Hotel to round up alleged terrorists and some red-shirt protesters' leaders, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said in a national televised speech on Friday.

Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the arrested red-shirt leaders and alleged terrorists would be taken to the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Regiment for questioning over their alleged involvement in deadly clashes with troops last weekend.