Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Wednesday

[Thaivisa News]

TAN: 'All Ch 3 employees have been rescued from Maleenont Building'

'im back on the ground with a full stomache, shots at northern pratumam' /via @vaitor

'Skies gone black over Central World.' /via @beejoir

AFP: Thai government says parts of Bangkok not under control

'livepic central world in flames' http://yfrog.com/5autmmj /via @vaitor

Reuters: Thai authorities order TV stations to broadcast only govt sanctioned programmes

AFP: The Thai stock exchange said on Wednesday that it would be closed for the last two trading days of the week

'Bangkok Bank on Sathupradit 19 has just been attacked by black shirted motorcyclists. Now on fire' /via @NLicence

AFP: The Thai stock exchange said on Wednesday that it would be closed for the last two trading days of the week

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Thai government says parts of Bangkok not under control

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's government said Wednesday that parts of Bangkok were still not under control after a military offensive that shut down an anti-government protest camp.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn urged all Bangkok residents and visitors to stay inside as the city goes under its first curfew in 15 years, starting at 8:00 pm and ending at 6:00 am Thursday.

Panitan said that looters and arsonists were at work and ordered them to stop or face decisive action.

He also said that the government had ordered special TV programming on all free-to-air channels, so that authorities could give information about the development of the security operation.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-19

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Key Red-shirt Leader Arisman Pongruengrong Allegedly Captured

Key red-shirt leader Arisman Pongruengrong, who did not turn himself in with the rest of the core leaders earlier this afternoon, was allegedly apprehended at Ploenchit BTS station.

He's believed to have been transported to Narasuan Army Camp.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-19

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Thai TVs to Broadcast 'Special Programs'

The Center for the Resolution for Emergency Situation has announced that special programs will be broadcast on all TV stations to allow the CRES to keep the public informed.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-19

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AFP: The Thai stock exchange said on Wednesday that it would be closed for the last two trading days of the week due to violence that has gripped the capital.

[Thaivisa News]

Repeat: Curfew starts frm 8 pm to 6 am in the monring. You should not, rather must not , go out after 8. U can be stopped, arrested or worse

'New thick smoke from my building in sukhumvit 43. Towards asoke: http://twitpic.com/1p3t31 /via @vipchawla /Updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

TAN: TAN Network has also been ordered by CRES to air Thai special programming as well /updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

TAN: Log on to http://bit.ly/2aA5Ft for web updates/breaking news. No live broadcast anymore due to CRES announcement.

'Electric is now back on on Suk Soi 8, as of about 30 mins ago...' /via @LAGuyinBKK /Updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

'Heavy Fire down Petchburi around Soi Chidlom.' /via @beejoir

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Thaivisa Member:

Centralword fire is flaring up again!

pic from 4.10pm

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Thaivisa Member:

Petchburi Road Barricade Set Alight outside Tourism Authority Thailand office on right side of pic

TAT office Petchburi Rd at 11.45am

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Thaivisa Member:

Tires burning at Asok and Suk intersection. Also in front of Sheraton

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Thaivisa Member:

now we see big flames coming from centralworld; now only from below but also higher up

several heavy explosions around centralworld

photo taken at 17.45

[Thaivisa News]

'LIVE Pic above Central World: http://yfrog.com/afffuc_kj /via @beejoir /updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

Asok just past the BTS: http://tweetphoto.com/23046867 /updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

'REALLY Heavy Gun Fire down Petchburi/Chidlom' /via @beejoir

Zen Central World now from Maneeya Centre penthouse. Soon to be Destroyed: http://tweetphoto.com/23046959 /via @aleithead

TAN: Money Channel studios at Stock Exchange partially destroyed by fire; flames went up 5 floors /updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

'At least one person inside temple has bullet wound. No idea what happened. Gunfire escalating.' /via @markmackinnon

'people looting central world... they don't care for the fire...' /via @vaitor

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Central World Destroyed in Fire

Bangkok's largest shopping mall, the second largest in Asia, has been destroyed by fires.

Reports indicate that the fire, started by protesters shortly after their leaders' surrender, blazed on for hours.

Fire crews could not get on the scene and the department store's own fire crews were unable to stop the blaze.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-19

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[Thaivisa News]

Gutted provinciasl halls include Ubon Ratchananee, Nonthaburi, Udorn Thani, Khon Kaen, Mukdaharn and Nakhon Ratchasima. /via @top10thai

'The air is being poisoned over a large area of Bangkok' http://bit.ly/a0bQQ7 /via @Michael_Yon /Updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

'Chiangmai: Cm108.com: clashes w police outside of Governor's house adjacent to the Nawart Bridge, near the Night Bazaar' /via @ccusano

#Bangkok skyline - full of smoke: http://twitpic.com/1p2uj3 /via @jonfernquest /updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

Urgent: TAN: Bank of Thailand assures public that ATM's not closed; pls do not panic /via @js100radio

Erawan Center: reported at 5pm that since May 14 to now 366 injured 42 deaths. 40 were civilian 1 soldier, 1 foreigner. /via @pattweet_nt

May 19: 59 Injured and 5 deaths /via @pattweet_NT /Updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

'Zen, soon to be gone' http://yfrog.com/cam87yj

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Emergency Decrees in Mukdahan and Kalasin Provinces

The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations, or CRES, has declared State of Emergencies in an additional two provinces, namely Mukdahan and Kalasin.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-19

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[Thaivisa News]

"thai guy in front of me with two different new adidas shoes and a brand new jacket... he is one of the only happy guys today!" /via @vaitor

'Fire at Bangkok Bank Phrakanong branch has been put out' /via @js100 radio @veen_NT

Ch.3 and its staff is safe now - some staff have been sent to hsoptial. /via @veen_NT @Nattha_tvthai

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Thaivisa Member:

photo from ratchada, 5 mins ago

[george]

BREAKING NEWS:

Thai capital gripped by looting and arson

Full story (AP):

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Bangkok-Grip...on-t367021.html

[Thaivisa News]

INN: Center One in Victory Monument area has been set on fire /via @tukky_NT

Video of the fire at Central world taken 15 minutes ago http://bit.ly/dh0yrR /via @TyphoidMango

Bangkok's largest shopping mall, the second largest in Asia, has been destroyed by fires. Full story: http://bit.ly/dkakkm

Din Daeng, ruined: http://twitpic.com/1onf3v /via @kirai @jazzinchiangmai

Red leaders are in custody at Naresuan military camp in Cha Am, Petchaburi province /via @tukky_NT

AFP: 6 people killed and 58 injured Wed after the Thai army launched a crackdown on protesters in Bangkok, emergency services said.

MCOT: Curfew imposed across Thai capital http://bit.ly/91mBL6

'Major arson attacks at 12 locations around Bangkok' http://bit.ly/afCPvP /updates: http://bit.ly/aYD03G

'Bangchak Petrol Station in Klongtoey reportedly seized by redshirts 6.40pm' /via @wizardofwindsor

'small fires and destroyed shops around siam paragon, soldiers and firemen try everything to get in control!' /via @vaitor

[Thaivisa News]

Commercial banks will be closed on May 20-21. /via js100radio @veen_NT

Trueonline officials denies the rumour that Internet access will be out of service after curfew. /via @veen_NT

"Soldiers planning another clearance run through sukhumvit!" /via @vaitor

INN: Siam theatre has reportedly caved in. /via @tulsathit

Nok Air cancels flights after curfew. (after curfew starts there will be no Nok Air flights) /via @tulsathit

'electricity is gone around victory monument area' /via @joe_abac

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Central World building may collapse after arson attack

A TV presenter for CRES special programme Wednesday warned people around the Rajprasong area to avoid getting close to the Central World building, which was about to collapse.

Some red shirts reportedly set the building on fire in the afternoon.

-- The Nation 2010-05-19

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Outbound travellers need to show travelling document

Foreigners and local residents who have to catch international flights can proceed to the airport even after 8pm, when the curfew is imposed.

Acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn announced on TV that they need to show officers the travelling document - passports and tickets.

-- The Nation 2010-05-19

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Transport Co cancels bus services after 8 pm

The Transport Company will cancel all its bus services after 8 pm, its public relations division announced.

Those who have booked tickets could produce tickets for using the service on Thursday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-19

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Internet service maintained: Providers

By Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

Internet service will be available as usual despite the escalated violence in Bangkok, said an executive of True Corp.

The executive said that the company has not yet received any request from the government to shut down the internet service.

TOT Plc also insisted that the service will be maintained despite the turbulence.

A Twitter message recently floated the news that the service would be suspended from 8pm onwards.

-- The Nation 2010-05-19

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Banks suspend services on May 20-21

By The Nation

Bank of Thailand declared May 20-21 as the extra holidays for all commercial banks.

The Securities and Exchange Commission also declared May 20-21 as the extra holidays for all securities companies, asset management companies and futures trading firms.

Commerical banks decide to close all branches in Bangkok today, from 1pm, on escalated political violence.

Closing their branches are Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial Bank, Bank of Ayudhya and Thanachart Bank. Thanachart Bank will close a total of 25 branches today. Meanwhile, Siam City Bank will close all 197 branches in the area.

Branches in Bangkok and peripheral areas are closed from 1pm. However, Internet banking, mobile phone banking and ATM services are available.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand will also suspend the afternoon trading of all exchanges today. The SET index opened 5.08 points lower today, to 755.03 points on turnover of Bt1.34 billion.

Kasikorn Asset Management also announced that the transactions of all mutual funds under its management will be suspended from 12.30am, following the market's close.

-- The Nation 2010-05-19

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Police Hospital evacuates patients from building opposite from Central World

After the massive fire engulfed Central World at 5 pm, the Police Hospital evacuated patients from a building opposite from the shopping mall for fear that mall would collapse.

After the five spread to the fourth floor, the heat could feel across the street at the hospital building.

Fire trucks could not control the blaze.

Many red-shirt protesters who have not left Rajprasong fled across the street to the Police Hospital.

-- The Nation 2010-05-19

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[Thaivisa News]

Chiang Mai: AVOID Narawat Bridge. Soldiers blocked Charoen Muang RD at Bamrungrad Rd Intersection. There is also a fire on Narawat Bridge.

Court issued arrest warrants for ten ppl including Thaksin, Adisorn, Payap on terrorism charges via NEAW_NBC /via @tukky_nt

'walked down Suk 79, ATM & Phonebooths smashed' http://twitpic.com/1p4n9o http://twitpic.com/1p4nu8 /via @nattiekhe

CRES has announced curfew for Chiang Mai. /via @tulsathit

Curfew is now in place for the first time in 18 years. Please do not leave your homes! Stay safe Bangkok.

'7/11 in victory monument and K-bankcentral one shopping mall destroyed' /via @joe_abac

Matichon posted brief report (17.47) tht Arisman ws caught & being brought to Naresuan border patrol police camp in Phetchburi /v @tulsathit

List of Thaksin and co. facing arrest warrants on terrorism charge:http://bit.ly/9q94KJ /via @tukky_nt

[george]

Thailand: Curfew extended across 23 Thai provinces, incl Chiang Mai and Pattaya

RT @tukky_nt: CTW on fire posted one hr ago in youtube: http://bit.ly/97dEQL #fb>>don't believe this is Thailand

T @tulsathit: RT @Lowealpine1: Nuttawut threatened "We will make it burn throughout the country" http://bit.ly/agE6xp

ATM machines to shut down nationwide during curfew period.

MCOT, #Bangkok: Court issues arrest warrants for Thaksin, Adisorn, Payab and 7 Red Shirt hardliners on charges of terrorism

Thai TV said Arisman has been arrested at Ploenchit BTS station and brought to Naresuan border patrol police camp in Phetchaburi

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Thaivisa Member: just went to the roof of my apartment building. Bangkok half in dark without any traffic sound or people talking. No noise, nomotosi, nothing. No Tuk-Tuk. Eerie dead silent. Scary

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ATM machines to shut down nationwide during curfew period.

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Curfew extended across 23 Thai provinces

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A curfew was extended to cover 23 Thai provinces as well as Bangkok on Wednesday night after a deadly army crackdown on an anti-government rally sparked rioting and arson in the capital.

Thailand's Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) said in a statement it had "imposed the curfew in 23 more provinces from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am".

Anyone violating the curfew would be jailed for two years maximum or fined 40,000 baht (1,200 dollars) or both, but a government spokesman earlier said those who needed to travel should carry passports or ID and tickets.

Earlier, General Prawit Wongsuwon told AFP that the curfew would be imposed in Bangkok and checkpoints would be set up across the city.

"We are waiting until the people go back home, then we will deal with rogue protesters," he said.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-19

Published with written approval from AFP.

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