Police officer shot dead during Thai protests: Hospital

BANGKOK - A police officer was shot dead in Bangkok Thursday during clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters, according to the hospital where he was taken for treatment.

"He was shot in his chest and brought to hospital by helicopter," said Jongjet Aoajenpong, director of the Police General Hospital. "A team of doctors tried to resuscitate him for more than half an hour."

Violence broke out as demonstrators tried to force their way into a sports stadium in the Thai capital, where representatives of about 30 political parties were gathered to register for February elections.