(CNN) -- Days of violent unrest in the Thai capital have left dozens dead and hundreds injured as security forces clash with anti-government protesters. The latest victims include a key opposition leader, Maj. Gen. Khattiya Sawasdipol -- a renegade general better known as Seh Daeng -- who died days after being critically wounded by a sniper's bullet. But the current crisis follows a months-long standoff between Thai authorities and protesters opposed to the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The protesters -- known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) -- support Thaksin Shinawatra, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006, before he was ousted in a bloodless coup.
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Thaksin supporters say that he gave the rural poor a voice and real benefits
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Detractors say that as prime minister he was greedy, self-serving and dangerous
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Current premier Abhisit Vejjajiva keen to show no one is above the rule of law
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Current court case relates to shares transfer in Thaksin communications company
Khattiya Sawasdipol
Seh Daeng
@placeholder's subsequent shooting by an unknown assailant raised tensions further and at least 35 people have been killed and 240 wounded in the latest wave of unrest.
United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship
UDD
Some protesters argue that the @placeholder movement should negotiate with the government to reach a settlement.