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Bangkok Burning: Thailand Descends Into Chaos
May 20, 2010
Anusak Konglang
Bangkok. Enraged protesters went on a rampage of arson and looting on Wednesday in the Thai capital, where fire engulfed major buildings including the stock exchange after a deadly army assault on an antigovernment rally.
Plumes of black smoke billowed across the skyline in the aftermath of the military assault on the Red Shirt camp that left at least six people dead, including an Italian journalist, and forced their leaders to surrender.
While most demonstrators dispersed, some militant protesters set fires at 27 locations across central Bangkok in an upsurge of violence that prompted authorities to declare a curfew across about a third of the country.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has been under enormous pressure to end the crippling standoff, said he intended to “get through” the crisis and return peace to the country.
Major blazes swept through Central World, one of Southeast Asia’s largest shopping centers, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, a downtown cinema, many banks and a television station where about 100 staff had to be rescued.
The unrest also spread outside the capital as supporters in northeast Thailand set fire to at least two provincial halls.
Violence broke out in northern Chiang Mai, where people tried to burn buildings and throw home-made bombs after the Bangkok protests ended, but by late evening the situation was under control, local officials said.
The government imposed an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces, out of a total of 76, in a bid to quell the eruption of violence, admitting that parts of the capital were still outside their control.
“We are waiting until the people go back home, then we will deal with rogue protesters,” Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon said.
The latest unrest began when armored vehicles backed by armed troops firing live rounds smashed through towering barricades made of tires and razor wire that the Red Shirts had erected around their sprawling base.
May 20, 2010
Anusak Konglang
Bangkok. Enraged protesters went on a rampage of arson and looting on Wednesday in the Thai capital, where fire engulfed major buildings including the stock exchange after a deadly army assault on an antigovernment rally.
Plumes of black smoke billowed across the skyline in the aftermath of the military assault on the Red Shirt camp that left at least six people dead, including an Italian journalist, and forced their leaders to surrender.
While most demonstrators dispersed, some militant protesters set fires at 27 locations across central Bangkok in an upsurge of violence that prompted authorities to declare a curfew across about a third of the country.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has been under enormous pressure to end the crippling standoff, said he intended to “get through” the crisis and return peace to the country.
Major blazes swept through Central World, one of Southeast Asia’s largest shopping centers, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, a downtown cinema, many banks and a television station where about 100 staff had to be rescued.
The unrest also spread outside the capital as supporters in northeast Thailand set fire to at least two provincial halls.
Violence broke out in northern Chiang Mai, where people tried to burn buildings and throw home-made bombs after the Bangkok protests ended, but by late evening the situation was under control, local officials said.
The government imposed an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces, out of a total of 76, in a bid to quell the eruption of violence, admitting that parts of the capital were still outside their control.
“We are waiting until the people go back home, then we will deal with rogue protesters,” Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwon said.
The latest unrest began when armored vehicles backed by armed troops firing live rounds smashed through towering barricades made of tires and razor wire that the Red Shirts had erected around their sprawling base.
