UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appealed to all sides in Thailand to avoid furthering the political violence and to return to dialogue. Ban said he is following the rapidly mounting violence and tensions in Thailand with growing concern and is saddened by the reports of civilian deaths, including journalists, in clashes between security forces and protesters. Soldiers opened fire on Friday on anti-government protesters in a clash in the centre of Bangkok that left at least 10 people dead and 125 injured. The violence erupted after the military moved in to seal off an area where Red Shirt protesters had massed against the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The protesters used slingshots and launched fireworks at the troops as the two month standoff descended into more violence. Three journalists were shot and wounded while covering the unrest, underscoring the risks facing media in the capital. A Japanese cameraman was killed last month.