(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
Some protesters argue that the @placeholder movement should negotiate with the government to reach a settlement.