Rioting and fires swept Bangkok on Wednesday after troops stormed a protest encampment, forcing anti-government protest leaders to give up but triggering clashes that killed at least six and sparked unrest in Thailand's north. The Thai government extended an overnight curfew in Bangkok to 24 provinces as unrest spread from the capital to seven provinces, with town halls burnt in three northern areas, strongholds of anti-government protesters.
"Red shirt" protesters earlier torched at least 27 buildings in the capital, including the Thai stock exchange, and at least 16 bank branches. Central World, Southeast Asia's second-biggest department store complex, was gutted by fire and looked like it may collapse, a Reuters witness said.The unrest is now the "most widespread and most uncontrollable" political violence Thailand has ever seen, said Charnvit Kasetsiri, a prominent political historian. Wednesday's violence came exactly 18 years after unrest known as "Black May".
"I am confident and determined to end the problems and return the country to peace and order once again," Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in a televised address on Wednesday night. It was unclear whether the continued rioting, after protest leaders surrendered, was a final outpouring by anti-government forces or the start of more intense, widespread fighting.
"The situation is worse than expected now and it's very difficult to stop," said Kavee Chukitsakem, head of research at Kasikorn Securities. "After the red shirt leaders surrendered, things were out of control. It's like insects flying around from one place to another, causing irritation." An overnight curfew was initially imposed on Bangkok, but later extended to 24 provinces, with security forces authorised to shoot looters and arsonists.
Authorities have ordered medical and disaster teams to be on standby as troops continue operations overnight. Bangkok was quiet soon after the curfew began, said sources in the capital, but there were also reports of skirmishes in darkened streets. Groups of red shirt protesters remained in at least two areas of Bangkok, where gunshots were heard late on Wednesday, raising the threat of another eruption of violence. At least 700 to 800 women, children and elderly remained at a Buddhist temple next to the main protest camp.
"They are very scared to leave," said Wallop Tangkananuwat, a child rights advocate. "They have been psychologically scared and brainwashed by the leaders that they would get killed if they leave. They will likely spend the night there tonight and we will try to get them out tomorrow." Travellers heading overseas or returning to Thailand during the curfew will need to show their passports to security forces to get through checkpoints. A news blackout was imposed, with local TV running programmes of dancing and flag-waving Thais, periodically interrupting them for government statements.
Comments
Comments are closed.