He became publicly known for his role in the 1970s campaign against communist insurgents in Northeastern Thailand . After the 2006 coup d'état that toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra , he joined the " Red Shirts " movement and led its most intransigent and militant wing . He was killed , apparently by a sniper , while giving an interview during the May 2010 unrest in Bangkok
May 2010 unrest in Bangkok
2010 Thai political protests
Khattiya Sawasdipol