All Hell Breaks Loose in Bangkok

[Gaybutton]

At 1:40pm today the Red-Shirt leaders surrendered. Then things went absolutely berserk. In Khon Kaen, Mukdahan and Udon Thani they set fire to the city halls. There are reports that the Red-Shirts stormed the city hall in Ubon Ratchathani, but so far I have seen no reports of fire being set there.

 

Meanwhile, in the midst of all this Pattaya still remains perfectly normal and no incidents have taken place here. Let's hope it stays that way.

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Curfew Imposed 8 pm to 6 am

 

The government imposed curfew in Bangkok from 8 pm to 6 am.

 

The curfew will be in place until further notice.

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Red Shirts Attack TV Station, Stock Exchange

 

Red shirts protesters went berserk on Wednesday after their leaders surrendered to police and ended Rajprasong rally.

 

They attacked by setting fire on TV 3 Channel and library of Stock Exchange of Thailand.

 

One staffer said cars parked outside the building were set on fire and protesters then entered the Channel 3 building.

 

The fire sent thick black smoke into the air. The channel stopped broadcast, showing only channel logo as the fire start at the floor of the station.

 

TV reporters who were trapped inside the building telephoned their friends, complaining that no police and fire fighters came to their rescue.

 

The protesters also set fires at the Stock Exchange of Thailand building.

 

A library in the building of Thailand's stock exchange is on fire, Channel 7 reported.

 

Journalists at Bangkok Post and the Nation dailies said they were evacuating their building following threats from the Red Shirts.

 

The protesters have accused local media of being biased toward the government. Their barricaded encampment was overrun by the army on Wednesday.

 

Red shirts attack TV station, stock exchange

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Protesters Loot Siam Square, Set Fire to Siam Theatre

 

Angry red-shirt protesters looted shops at Siam Square and set fire to the Siam Threatre, Jor Sor 100 traffic radio station reported.

 

The fire caused the theatre to collapse but the blaze was still raging as protesters tried to block officials from fighting the fire.

 

Protesters loot Siam Square, set fire to Siam Theatre

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Looting Taking Place at Central World

 

Angry protesters were looting at Central World right now at3:40 pm.

 

Looting taking place at Central World

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Angry Protesters Set Fire to Channel 3

 

Protesters set fire to the ground floor and car park of Channel 3 at 3 pm.

 

The fire caused damages to some 10 vehicles.

 

A man who covered his face set fire to the Bangkok Bank office on the first floor.

 

Frightened staffs ran out of the office.

 

Angry protesters set fire to Channel 3

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It has also been reported that both THE NATION and BANGKOK POST offices have been evacuated and the staff sent home.

 

The BTS will suspend service at least through Thursday.

 

There are no reports yet as to when bank branches will reopen.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

These people are f*****g nuts.

[Guest luvthai]

Also reports from Chiang Mai of army approaching protestors with M16's and police already shooting protestors.

This isn't going away anytime soon.

[Gaybutton]

The BANGKOK POST is now reporting that the curfew extends to other provinces to the north and northeast of Bangkok. The trouble is the article does not say which provinces. As far as I know, Pattaya does not fall under the curfew.

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Curfew in Bangkok, Many Provinces

 

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has announced curfew in Bangkok and nearby cities and provinces in the North and Northeast earlier placed under emergency law.

 

People in areas under curfew are not allowed to leave their homes from 8pm to 6am, with immediate effect.

 

State authorities are allowed to perform their duties in the restricted areas to restore peace and order.

 

The curfew order was signed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva late this afternoon.

 

Curfew in Bangkok, many provinces

[Gaybutton]

Also reports from Chiang Mai of army approaching protestors with M16's and police already shooting protestors.

If any of you are in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, or anywhere else where this is going on, please post what you know and whatever you can tell us. Only sketchy information is being published in the media with which I am familiar.

[Guest]

Meanwhile, in the midst of all this Pattaya still remains perfectly normal and no incidents have taken place here. Let's hope it stays that way.

 

In the middle of my workout class at California Wow, the manager came in and politely asked us to leave immediately. He said they were closing, Tut com was closing and Central was closing. I went on the streets and the cars were backed up and not moving. I didn't see anything, but everyone should be wary.

 

Looking at Central, no one is allowed in and everyone appears to be leaving.

[KhorTose]

If any of you are in Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, or anywhere else where this is going on, please post what you know and whatever you can tell us. Only sketchy information is being published in the media with which I am familiar.

 

I checked after luvthai's report. Protestor have surrounded the governor of Chiang Mai's house and are setting off fireworks. Narawat road is closed, but so far no soldiers! They are very angry---this is not going away anytime soon.

[Gaybutton]

Looking at Central, no one is allowed in and everyone appears to be leaving.

That sounds like a bomb scare to me. Nothing in the media about it yet.

 

It's ironic that exactly one month ago, today, Pattaya was celebrating Songkran and everyone was having such a wonderful time. Now look!

[Gaybutton]

After this article was published, there are now reports of three more arson fires. It has not yet been reported where those were.

 

 

Major Arson Attacks at 12 Locations around Bangkok

 

By The Nation

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration disclosed 12 major arson attacks caused by rioting protesters around the capital as of 5.00 pm on Wednesday.

 

1. The areas on Rama I Road around Paragon shopping mall and Siam Square. Firefighters could not gain access because of gun attacks from rioters. Siam Theatre was completely burned down.

 

2. Parts of Centara Grand Hotel at Rajprasong were set on fire. Firefighting was successful.

 

3. Fire at the Stock Exchange building on Wireless Road caused huge damage. And the blaze rages on as rioters refused to allow access for firefighters.

 

4. Mahatun Building at Phloenchit was set on fire causing a total damage.

 

5. The blazes at the Office of Narcotics Control Board and the nearby convenient store 7Eleven in Din Daeng were put out.

 

6. Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank branches in Asoke were completely burned down.

 

7. Bangkok Bank and Government Saving Bank branches in Din Daeng were completely burned down.

 

8. The Maleenont Building, housing Channel 3, has been under arson attack and firefighters could not gain access.

 

9. Bangkok Bank branch and Tesco Lotus superstore on Rama IV Road were set on fire and firefighters could not gain access.

 

10. The fire at the office of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority in Klong Toei was successfully put out.

 

11. Firefighters managed to put out the fire at Central World shopping mall.

 

12. Bangkok Bank branch at Victory Monument was set on fire.

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Kalasin and Mukdaharn Under State of Emergency

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva issues state of emergency in Kalasin and Mukdaharn on Wednesday after riots spread in the provinces.

 

The riots broke out in many spots in Bangkok after some red shirts leaders surrenders to police, ending Rajprasong rally site.

 

Kalasin and Mukdaharn under state of emergency

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Mop-up Continues, Tourists Aided

 

Published: 19/05/2010

 

Security forces will continue the crackdown against violent protest throughout the night in Bangkok, the government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) announced.

 

A curfew has been declared in Bangkok and other provinces under declared emergency law from 8pm to 6am.

 

CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kawekamnerd said the miltary operation was aimed at stablising the situation and ensure the sately of all people in Bangkok, including foreigners.

 

People needing to travel during curfew hours should ensure they carry identity papers, such as a passport, and have their ID and tickets ready to show to officers at curfew checkpoints.

 

Authorities would then facilitate their travel. All foreigners would be assisted.

 

He said although the operations around Lumpini and Ratchprasong had been successful, there were still problems in many areas of Bangkok.

 

Seven leaders of the red-shirt protest movement surrendered to authorities about 1.30pm on Wednesday afternoon after the army stormed their barricaded encampment.

 

Their supporters immediately began a rampage, rioting and setting fire top buildings.

 

Col Sansern said transport was available at National Stadium and Pratumwan for protesters who want to return home.

 

He urged people to inform the authorities of the whereabouts of the red-shirt leaders who had fled the protest area.

 

The government has taken over several TV channels and is broadcasting repeated reassurances in Thai and English.

 

BANGKOK POST

[Guest GaySacGuy]

]UBON[/b]

 

Things aren't all that great in Ubon Ratchathani either. There has been a riot around the provincial building (not sure of title) and rumors of up to six protesters killed...strictly rumors, but causing a march of redshirts through downtown. I am not in the area (and won't be), but if you would like to see some of the riots and fires go to

 

Life in rural Thailand

 

Also, Thaivisa.com has been covering everything quite well during this adventure, so you can go there for the latest info.

 

I just returned from dinner in a restaurant near Big C in the north end of town...everything pretty normal, no riots, no noise, normal traffic, so it isn't affecting the whole city.

 

Also Sunee Hotel and Mall, Big C, Tesco Lotus, and Andersons were closed about 3:30. I think this is a corporate decision to prevent them from being looted and ending up the same way as Central World in Bangkok (BURNT TO THE GROUND), so that is probably why people were leaving the malls in Pattaya also.

[Guest Astrrro]

Sunee Hotel and Mall

 

Where's that?

[Guest GaySacGuy]

Where's that?

The Sunee Grand Hotel and Mall is in Ubon Ratchathani, on the main street near Tesco Lotus.

[Smiles]

The City Hall in Ubon:

 

 

[Guest fountainhall]

Like most people, I have no way of knowing how this will all play out. The red-shirt protest ended up doing incalculable damage to the city and the country. The looting, arson and general mayhem that has followed the leaders surrender is utter madness. Several friends in London called me today knowing I am flying out this evening suggesting I postpone my return. Since I am going first to Hong Kong for a few days, there is no need. But the impression all this is having outside the country is quite disastrous.

 

I blame the government and the army as much as I do the hard core that is left of the protest movement. I believe what has happened in the last couple of days was bound to happen, given the constant flip flops and lack of leadership shown by everyone. It could - and should - have been anticipated, and measures put in place to counter it. All share the blame equally in my book. The vital factor now is that law and order have to be restored at the utmost speed. Only then can the inquests begin and those responsible have the book thrown at them.

[Bob]

I blame the government and the army as much as I do the hard core that is left of the protest movement. I believe what has happened in the last couple of days was bound to happen, given the constant flip flops and lack of leadership shown by everyone. It could - and should - have been anticipated, and measures put in place to counter it. All share the blame equally in my book.

 

Absolutely agree with this part of your statement. But there are many others in Thai society who share some of the blame for allowing (supporting) the underlying societal conditions that led up to this.

 

And, while the children were fighting, the father said nothing. Inexcusable in my opinion.

[Gaybutton]

Have you ever been to Central World in Bangkok? Here is what they did to it:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG16dQZ1r68

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Don't you love the sign at the beginning of the clip? "Peaceful Protesters Not Terrorists" It doesn't look peaceful to me.

[Guest fountainhall]

Whilst we all know that Thailand is split down the middle politically, this deeply criminal behaviour not only results in Thailand being seen as a destination tourists will wish to a avoid for many months, if not years to come; it also hardens the attitudes of those Thais holding opposing views. Some days ago, the red shirts could have walked out of their protest having achieved quite a number of their goals. Forgive the pun, but they have now shot their followers well and truly in the foot.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

We all know who advised them not to walk away at that time.