At least 77 were wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters (抗议者)clashed（冲突）in Bangkok early Monday morning 14 hours after Thai PM declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Thai media reports.
The Nation quoted hospital reports as saying at least 77 people suffered injuries mainly from teargas, with five seriously injured.
At around 7:20 a.m., the government announced it was in control of the situation at Din Daeng, The Nation said on its website.
Some protesters had been arrested, and Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier said “Similar operations will be carried out in other areas.”
The clash occurred around 4:30 a.m. Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday) when some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters used a seized bus to crash soldiers at Din Daeng District in north Bangkok, Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told TPBS.
Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters after failing to persuade the red shirts to stop, Sansern said.
Earlier the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced a total injury number of 68.
Army Chief General Anupong Paojinda refused to comment on the incident, adding that he will learn more about it first.
At about 6:15 a.m. Monday (23:15 GMT Sunday), former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told the Red-shirted protesters to continue fighting in a phone conversation with a main leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby.
The latest round of the anti-government protests led by UDD has entered its 19th day. Red-shirted protesters on Saturday forced the summits canceled(取消).
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)
49. What is the main idea of the passage?
A. At least 77 were wounded during the crash between soldiers and protesters.
B. The ASEAN summits have been cancelled.
C. Soldiers used teargas to disperse the protesters.
D. Thai Prime Minister announced a state of emergency.
50. What can you infer from the passage?
A. The conflict is connected with the former premier Thaksin.
B. The Army Chief General refused to comment on the incident.
C. Soldiers didn’t persuade the red shirts to stop.
D. About 300 protesters seized a bus and crashed soldiers.
51. Which of the following is TRUE?
A. The latest round of protests started in March, 2009.
B. Five protesters died in the clash.
C. It’s officially said on the morning of Sunday that the situation was out of control.
D. It is most likely that the army is against the government.
52. What does the underlined word “disperse” probably mean?
