Re: Bangkok Field Report
OK heres a more official news release on the situation now. Curfew in Bangkok is citywide. There are reports of up to 15 sites in Bangkok that are burning!
Mobs burn Bangkok
Published: 19/05/2010 at 03:57 PM
Online news: Breakingnews
Arsonists rampaged in downtown Bangkok on Wednesday afternoon, setting fire to buildings and shopping centres, after the core leaders of the United front for democracy against Dictatorship surrendered and announced an end to the protest rally at Ratchaprasong intersection.
Fires were reported at Central World department store in Ratchaprasong, Siam Theatre at Siam Square, the Paragon shopping centre and branches of commercial banks nearby.
Fighting between troops and protesters, and explosions, were reported throughout the area.
At the Sala Daeng intersection on Rama IV Road, rampaging protesters destroyed telephone booths, advertising signs, traffic signs and other public property.
The Bangkok Post building in nearby Klong Toey was evacuated shortly before 3pm as a mob advanced from the Rama IV intersection to Five Ways and down the narrow Na Ranong road leading to the Post building about 200 metres away.
The Post building also houses the Bangkok Post's sister newspaper, the Thai-language Post Today.
TV Channel 3, which is based nearby on Rama IV Road in the Maleenont Building was also off the air.
Reports quoted staff at the TV station saying their building had been attacked by red-shirt protesters.
One staffer said cars parked outside the building were set on fire and protesters then entered the Channel 3 building.
The 6th floor of Maleenont Building and the Klong Toey office of the Bangkok Metropolitan Electricity Authority were also reported tobe on fire.
Red-shirts also set fires at the Stock Exchange of Thailand building, reports said.
Red-shirt mobs also set fire to the provincial halls in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, in the Northeast of the country, reports said.
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