Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Thursday

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Thursday May 20 Red-Shirt rally live updates

Here you can follow the live updates from the media, hour by hour.

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Related topic: Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Wednesday

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Thai PM to "return peace" after bloodshed

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday he intends to "get through" Thailand's political crisis and "return peace" to the country.

"I would like people to feel confident that my government, all officials and I strongly intend to get through this and we will return peace to the country and recover," Abhisit said in a nationally televised address.

He said Wednesday morning's military assault on the "Red Shirt" camp in Bangkok, which left at least six people dead and forced protest leaders to surrender, was "based an international standards".

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-20

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Italy's politicians mourn death of photographer in Thailand

ROME (AFP) -- Italian politicians on Wednesday paid tribute to Fabio Polenghi, the photographer who died in clashes in Bangkok between the Thai military and protesters.

Lower House Speaker Renato Schifani expressed his condolences in a statement, inviting Italians to "think about the fundamental importance" of the work performed by photographers and journalists, "sometimes risking their own lives."

Piero Fassino of the opposition Democratic Party said Polenghi died as a result of carrying out his work.

"To inform -- with words or with images -- is an act that needs to be honoured," he said.

Freelance photographer Polenghi, 45, was hit in the heart and abdomen by gunfire early on Wednesday as the Thai army attacked the anti-government protesters' base in central Bangkok.

Polenghi, based in Milan, had been in Southeast Asia for three months.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-20

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Violence in Thailand

Thai government cracks down on Red Shirt protesters

-- Fox News 2010-05-19

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Thai mall burns amidst crisis

Central World Mall, a huge shopping mall with many high-end brand outlets, burns in Bangkok, Thailand.

-- CNN 2010-05-19

[Thaivisa News]

'British nationals urged to avoid traveling to Bangkok' http://bit.ly/cVaeTK /via @sajal

'called fire dept n was informed a team been sent 2 diamond condo 2 evacuate ppl traped inside. Platinum shld b safe to then' /via @AnjanaG

'We advise against all travel to the city of #Bangkok ' http://bit.ly/c6BBFF /Updates: http://bit.ly/ce7we1

'A banking source told me that ATM will fully serviceable at 6.30 am. (Don't panic if you can't withdraw at 6.15 am or so)' /via @tulsathit

'New British Embassy Warning For Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai on the NO GO list as well' http://bit.ly/c6BBFF

[Maestro]

END OF REDS RALLIES

Bangkok under curfew

By The Nation

Published on May 20, 2010

Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on Wednesday imposed a curfew across the capital following riots in downtown Bangkok and several areas after anti-government red shirt key leaders surrendered to police and end their month-long rallies.

The curfew is imposed on Wednesday from 8pm until 6am. People are banned from leaving their places during the period without permission from authorities.

The curfew will allow security forces to control the situation and separate innocent people from rogue protesters as riots broke out in the capital.

The imposition of curfew came as several areas of Bangkok including downtown are under arson attacks by angry red Shirt protesters after their leaders surrendered to police and end their month-long Rajprasong protests.

Rioters set fires at a section of the Thai stock exchange, several banks, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority office, the high-end Central World shopping mall and a cinema complex as well as several other buildings.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Satit Vongnongteay told a news conference describing the riots as "aftershocks.''

Earlier, CRES, in a TV pool programme, said the situation is now under control and the troops ended security operation after Jatuporn Prompan, Natthawut saikua and other top leaders surrendered to police.

The surrender of Red Shirt leaders came as troops approached Ratchaprasong area to retake the compound after more than a month-long protest at the capital's prime commercial area.

CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the troops could take over Lumpini Park around 7am and then carried out their security operation to reduce the Red Shirt protest area.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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World reacts to Thailand crisis

CNN's Sasha Herriman looks at world reaction to the Thai crisis and what advice has been issued to travelers.

-- CNN 2010-05-19

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Eyewitness to Bangkok unrest: Government 'has no plan'

Click on image below to start voice report

Thailand's authorities have put the capital Bangkok under curfew after red-shirt protest leaders surrendered to troops storming their barricades.

Read more: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8693029.stm

-- BBC 2010-05-19

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GRIM OUTLOOK

Businesses worry in aftermath of crackdown

By BUSINESS REPORTERS

THE NATION

Published on May 20, 2010

Corporate sector welcomes the surrender of red-shirt leaders

Business sector showed concerns over the government's ability to establish long-term solutions, now that Bangkok is subjected to fires and vandalising as red shirt supporters go berserk after a crackdown which led to the red shirt leaders' surrender. The Stock Exchange of Thailand will suspend trading today as it was set ablaze yesterday as well as many other cities in and out of town.

Nandor von Der Luehe, chairman of Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce, said that it is a positive development that the red-shirt leaders announced to stop their protest. However, the situation may not easily end as many protesters are not satisfied with the decision.

"It is very dangerous that some still keep on with their protests and create trouble in many spots. Moreover, some gangsters will run riot underground after this," he said.

He added that to ensure the conflict ends, the investigation procedure must be fair to all involved.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand will suspend trading today, as the SET Building was set fire to as well as many buildings in the city and out of town, as red shirt supporters went berserk.

The Federation of Thai Industries chairman Payungsak Chartsutipol said that the surrender of the red-shirt leaders will improve the situation. However, he suggested that the government should not announce a victory over the red shirts as it will create more conflict.

"The critical situation has created difficulty for the private sector to do business and explained to foreign enterprises. We [private sector] are praying that there is no more violence and all should reconcile and bring back peace to the country," said Payungsak.

Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, deputy secretary-general of the Board of Trade of Thailand, said that the government should pursue consolidation measures and create fairness in the society.

"The political crisis has created more than Bt500 billion losses. It will take a month to recover from all the mess but it will take more than six months to restore confidence," he said.

Paiboon Ponsuwanna, president of the National Thai Shippers Association, said that all banks were closed today as they have difficulty with transaction. Although export and import offices still open, traders have faced transportation difficulty.

Many foreign traders have also asked whether we can keep up our exports. Exports in the third quarter will be surely impacted, said Paiboon.

Vallop Vitanakorn, adviser to the board of the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association, said that some businesses and shippers have to halt their business today and maybe in the following days.

However, importers have not yet cancelled their orders with Thai exporters. "This is a critical time for all people. The mess should be end soonest, while the government must keep on the reunion plan to bring back confidence," he said.

To ensure and facilitate export, the Commerce Ministry has allowed freight companies to use the Export Promotion Department as their office to do documentary staffs. The Foreign Trade Department has also announced to extend their service until 8.30pm until Friday and from 8.30am to 4.30 pm on Saturday.

Sanan Angubolkul, chairman and president of Srithai Superware, the world's largest melamine tableware manufacturer, said the intense political riot this week had a short-term impact on the company's export activities as it could not contact with the state bodies related to the export transaction.

"We have to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Thai Customs Department in order to release the export document, but we could not do it because the government announced the holidays for the state organisations until Friday. Besides, we could not contact the shipping firms and ask them to issue the Bill of Lading. Although the shipment could arrive, they cannot bring the products for distributing in their markets," he said.

He said that after some of the red shirt leaders had surrendered to the Royal Thai Police yesterday, the situation is expected to be better than in earlier this week. However, the government should control the remaining protesters, who do not accept the leaders' surrender so that the situation can be peaceful.

Katiya Greigarn, director of KV Electronics, who is also exchairman of the Electrical, Electronics and Allied Industries under the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said the company so far had not been affected seriously. However, if the situation does not improve soon, the company business may face the import of raw material and export the product. He also believes that the company's clients remain confident to place orders with KV Electronics if the government can end the violence peacefully.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand composite index gained 0.71 per cent yesterday, to end the day at 765.54 points, after red shirt leaders surrendered. It remains unknown whether the market will open today. The exchange yesterday suspended afternoon trading.

Commercial banks yesterday decided to close all branches in Bangkok yesterday, from 1pm, on escalated political violence. Closing their branches were Bangkok Bank, Krung Thai Bank, Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial Bank, Bank of Ayudhya and Thanachart Bank. Thanachart Bank closed 25 branches while Siam City Bank closed all 197 branches in the area.

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 exchange also suspended trading of SC Asset Corporation after the company's name was involved in the list announced by government yesterday that it illegedly provides financial support to the red shirts.

The suspension will be implemented as long as the company can explain to SET.

SC Asset issued a statement, saying that it maintained good governance and transparent working practices like all listed companies. The company insisted that it had no involvement in financing the red shirt demonstration. It is now working under the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation's (CRES) requirement. The process aimed not only to provide better understanding to all but also lead to a withdrawal of the CRES' command.

The company also insisted that its operation is based on integrity, fairness and is transparent in line with international standards.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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RED-SHIRT PROTEST

Four killed in another day of violence

By THE NATION

Published on May 20, 2010

Italian journalist among fatalities

At least four more people, including an Italian photo journalist, were killed in the clash zone in downtown Bangkok yesterday, bringing the death toll to 41.

The Bangkok Emergency Medical Service's Erawan Centre reported yesterday at 3pm that a total of 41 people were killed and 346 others were injured from the clashes.

Out of 111 wounded persons currently hospitalised, 15 were in the ICU while 210 were released home, 10 were pending ER test results at Chulalongkorn and Police General hospitals.

The Italian journalist Polenghi Fabio, 48, was shot in the stomach at the Sarasin Intersection area yesterday morning and was rushed to the Police General Hospital along with six wounded persons being; a foreign woman identified as Michel Mark and five Thai men Wattanachai Eiumnak, Wittaya Ratchapansaeng, Santisuk Thabcharoen, Wichai Phrommak, and Wichai Minpaen.

Some demonstrators near the Sarasin intersection told reporters that the dead and injured were shot by some sniper hidden near Lumpini Park.

The hospital later yesterday announced that its blood reserve was insufficient to treat patients but its staff members could not get more blood hence urged media members to contact related officials to bring blood to them.

After the Thai troops regained control over the area, two |men, suspected to be red-shirt guards, were found dead with gunshots in the head behind the makeshift bunker near Lumpini Park.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Anarchy in Klongtoey

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

Published on May 20, 2010

At 1.20pm, upon being told that red-shirt leaders at RajprasongIntersection have decided to turn themselves to the police "in orderto save lives", those red shirts who gathered at Klong Toey deltabecame very upset at the young messenger on stage.

"If you won't fight then get out!" a protester shouts at the man."We won't give up easily and if the leaders won't fight then weshall fight by ourselves.Anger burst out.

One doubted if the speaker was a real red shirt ornot as they refuse to believe what they heard.

The young announcer washarassed and soon those running the stage at Klong Toey delta lostcontrol as some men began smashing shop window of CP Fresh Mart and KBank which red shirts regarded as supporters of their political enemy.

Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, leader of the Klong Toey stage tried tocalm the crowd down but to no avail.

As the rampage continue andbuildings set on fire, Prateep abruptly announce that she and otherswould abandon the stage."

Thailand will never be the same again," predicts AnutheeDejthevaporn, secretary general of the Student Federation of Thailand(SFT) which co-run the stage at Klongtoey.

Just before he abandonedthe stage, the tense and exhausted looking Anuthee added that redshirts will likely go underground to continue the fight.

By then anarchy have already engulfed Klong Toey delta. The crowd ofa thousand strong began spreading out to vent their anger.

Some fireat the Stock Exchange of Thailand, others at the nearby Channel 3television building which they loath."It serves them well.

They should have done it earlier at 5am," ahard-line red shirt woman who stood nearby told me.

She then rang someone on her mobile phone and said: "I agree now that peaceful meansisn't the way," she said, adding that more attack will soon follow.

She then hung up the phone and said she no longer wish to live inThailand: "No justice no peace," adding that Prime Minister AbhisitVejjajiva "has no worries about those killed".

Nearby, Mortolov cocktails were being distributed and red-shirtmotorcyclists headed out to seek targets.

Black smoke from nearbybuildings engulf the sky, lights went off and a new leader haveemerged standing in front of the now abandoned stage.

"Go to LoxleyBuilding!" the man shouted, claiming it's related to Finance MinisterKorn Chatikavanij.

By the evening, at least 15 were reported to have been killed withmore than forty injured.

Curfew was declared in Bangkok andsurrounding provinces from 8pm.

Twenty seven spots in Bangkok alonewere set of fire, including the mega shopping mall complex of CentralWorld which was near collapse.

A phone rang later in the evening. A legal expert who asked not tobe name told me he's worried about tonight as no journalists willwitness possible government abuse of power.

"I'm now more worriedabout their life. If they were to be killed I hope they are notautomatically branded as terrorist. We need to understand them. Theyhave been disappointed [by the coup which ousted Thaksin Shinawatra]and now they're being forced to go underground. We will no longer havepeace. Bangkok will be like the three southern-most provinces."

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Fiery rage hits Bangkok

By The Nation

Published on May 20, 2010

Arsonists, rioters and shooters wreaked havoc in many areas of Bangkok on Wednesday after red shirt leaders announced an end of their 45-day protests at the Rajprasong shopping area.

The government's Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) imposed curfew between 8 am and 6 am in Bangkok and other provinces where the state of emergency had been announced.

At least 29 places in the city became targets of arsonist attacks, more than 10 of the Bangkok Bank branches, according to Thanom Onketphon, an adviser to the Bangkok governor. Most of the targeted buildings are located near the protest site or not far from where red shirts had gathered, such as the Victory Monument, Din Daeng Delta and the Bon Kai community.

Among the worst hit were the Central World and Zen shopping complexes, which are located just next to the protest site, and the nearby Siam movie theatre in the Siam Square area, he said. Shots were fired at firefighters while they were trying to extinguish the blaze. But there were no reports of injuries among the firefighters.

At least 15 people, including one foreign reporter, were reported to be killed in mayhem on Wednesday.

The Maleenont building, which houses Channel 3 television, was partly damaged after a group of rioters set fire on the lower part of the building and its car park. The fire prompted evacuation of the editorial staff and other occupants of the building, which is located on Rama IV Road not far from where a group of red shirts had gathered.

Channel 3 suspended its broadcast following the arson attack and it will remain off-air today, according to TV Thai.

Government buildings in some other provinces also became targets of arsonist attacks. These included the provincial halls of Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani, and the official residence of the Chiang Mai governor.

A senior editor of the Post Today, a sister publication of the Bangkok Post, told television on Wednesday night that the newspaper's staff also was evacuated following news a group of angry mob was coming to their office. However, the building was safe from any arson attack and there was later a heavy presence of security forces in the area, he said.

A resident of a community located near the Bangkok Bank's Saphan Luang branch, which is close to the Hua Lamphong Railway Station, told TV Thai on Wednesday night that some residents tried unsuccessfully to prevent the arsonists from setting fire on the bank. She said shots were fired at the residents and firemen trying to contain the blaze.

One foreign journalist, an Italian, was killed during mayhem amidst the Army-led mob dispersal operation. At least three other foreign journalists were injured, one of them seriously, according to Jim Pollard, who works for the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.

A number of Thai reporters and cameramen were also wounded in an attack believed to be conducted by men in black armed with assault rifles and grenades.

Meanwhile, the Department of Special Investigation on Wednesday requested Criminal Court permission to issue arrest warrants for fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and nine others for alleged act of terrorism, according to DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit.

The court at first approved the request but later withheld the arrest warrant for Thaksin, asking for more time for consideration, Tharit said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Nine bodies found in Pathumwanaram Temple

Doctor Piyalarp Wasuwat, a doctor of Phra Mongkut Hospital said Wednesday night that nine bodies were found inside the Pathumwanaram Temple.

He said seven injured people were also found in the temple. Only two of them agreed to receive treatment at his hospital.

Piyalarp said officials will move the bodies out of the temple Thursday.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Travellers told to avoid Bangkok amid fresh violence

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has advised British nationals to avoid travelling to Bangkok due to the ongoing violence in the Thai capital.

The FCO had previously advised against all but essential travel but said the risk to people's safety had increased.

It said those using Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport for transit were not affected.

Read more: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8693122.stm

-- BBC 2010-05-19

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Curfew in Bangkok after surrender of red-shirt leaders

last updated at 19:28 GMT, Wednesday, 19 May 2010 20:28 UK

Thailand's authorities have put Bangkok and about a third of the country under curfew after street protest leaders surrendered.

At least 27 buildings were set ablaze after the red-shirt leaders' surrender and pockets of resistance remained despite pleas from leaders to go home.

Some 40 people have died since troops ringed the protesters last week, with at least six more deaths on Wednesday.

Read more: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/asia_pacific/10127048.stm

-- BBC 2010-05-19

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Media becomes target in Thailand's ongoing political turmoil

Redshirt anti-government protesters turn their anger on local TV companies and newspapers as well as foreign journalists

Ben Doherty in Bangkok

guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 19 May 2010 19.44 BST

Channel 3 TV station building after it was set on fire by redshirt protesters in Bangkok, Thailand. Photograph: Barbara Walton/EPA

Furious demonstrators in Bangkok singled out a new enemy in their ongoing struggle today, turning their anger on the media, the most visible messengers in the conflict.

Read more: www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/may/19/thailand-protests-media-attacks

-- guardian.co.uk 2010-05-19

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Thailand’s crisis goes beyond red and yellow

By David Pilling

Published: May 19 2010 22:36 | Last updated: May 19 2010 22:36

Who could think badly of Thailand? The people are lovely, the beaches divine and the green chicken curry outstanding. The country’s apparently troubled political history of serial coups and quick-vanishing constitutions, say its many admirers, is not as bad as it appears. It masks an odd kind of stability that has made Thailand a favoured destination for foreign investment and foreign vacations alike. True, there is poverty and great disparity of wealth. Where in south-east Asia isn’t there? But the people appear pretty content with their lot, and at least no one is starving. Even the current prime minister, the Oxford-educated Abhisit Vejjajiva, seems like a thoroughly decent chap, and terribly dishy to boot.

Read more: www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a4285126-6377-11df-a844-00144feab49a.html

-- Financial Times 2010-05-19

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German foreign minister warns of possible civil war in Thailand

Clashes continue despite the surrender of Red Shirt leaders

German travellers are warned to stay away from Bangkok and northern Thailand in light of the latest violence between security forces and anti-government protesters in Thailand.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said clashes between anti-government protesters and government forces in Thailand are threatening to deteriorate into "chaos and violence."

Westerwelle told reporters on Wednesday that he was alarmed by the reports coming from the Thai capital, Bangkok, and called on both sides to act with "caution and restraint."

Read more: www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5589877,00.html

-- Deutsche Welle 2010-05-19

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Fires erupt at 27 spots across Bangkok

Thanom On-ketphol, an advisor to the Bangkok governor, said angry protesters set fire to 27 spots across the capital.

He said the fire at CentralWorld was still out of control at 9 pm Wednesday night.

He said fires at Maleenont Building and Metropolitan Electricity Authority have been contained.

"We will try our best to put the fires out but this will need police forces to facilitate fire extinguishers. We need to plea that all support the activity, because if the fire spreads out and gets out of control, it would lead to more damage."

"Wherever we can send the fire extinguishers, we will do it right away," he said.

Any requests for emergency help in Bangkok should be made to Tel 1137,1644 and 02-288-5050, which are open 24 hours, Thanom said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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AFP: Nine people were killed Wednesday in clashes at a temple within a Thai anti-government protest zone after it was shut down in a military offensive, police said Thursday.

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Death toll on Wednesday may rise to 16

By THE NATION

Italian journalist among fatalities

BANGKOK: -- Probably 16 more people, including an Italian photo journalist, were killed in the clash zone in downtown Bangkok yesterday, bringing the death toll to 53.

The Bangkok Emergency Medical Service's Erawan Centre reported at Wednesday midnight that a total of seven people were reported by hospitals to be killed Wednesday.

But a doctor of Phra Mongkut Hospital said late Wednesday night that nine bodies of slain protesters were inside the Pathumwanaram Temple and authorities would wait to retrieve the body in the morning.

The Erawan Centre reported that 44 people were killed and 428 others were injured from the clashes. When counted with the figure of the Phras Mongkut Hospital, the death toll rose to 53.

Out of 111 wounded persons currently hospitalised, 15 were in the ICU while 210 were released home, 10 were pending ER test results at Chulalongkorn and Police General hospitals.

The Italian journalist Polenghi Fabio, 48, was shot in the stomach at the Sarasin Intersection area yesterday morning and was rushed to the Police General Hospital along with six wounded persons being; a foreign woman identified as Michel Mark and five Thai men Wattanachai Eiumnak, Wittaya Ratchapansaeng, Santisuk Thabcharoen, Wichai Phrommak, and Wichai Minpaen.

Some demonstrators near the Sarasin intersection told reporters that the dead and injured were shot by some sniper hidden near Lumpini Park.

The hospital later yesterday announced that its blood reserve was insufficient to treat patients but its staff members could not get more blood hence urged media members to contact related officials to bring blood to them.

After the Thai troops regained control over the area, two |men, suspected to be red-shirt guards, were found dead with gunshots in the head behind the makeshift bunker near Lumpini Park.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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THE NATION: Central,The Mall dept stores),Tesco-Lotus stores in Bangkok will be closed May 20 Thur,7-11 stores to close 6pm,before 8pm curfew

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Some parts of Central World collapse

Some parts of Central World have collapsed on Wednesday night after red shirts protesters broke into and set fire on the shopping complex.

Thai TPBS interviewed a man living in a community near the shopping complex. He said some parts of the shopping complex collapse, but no injuries.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Court delays decision on Thaksin's warrant to next week

The Criminal Court on Wednesday's evening initially approved a special investigation request to issue ten arrest warrants for terrorist suspects, including ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

But two hours later, the court revoked its decision on Thaksin and asked the Department of Special Investigation to send back Thaksin's case for the court to reconsider. The court will make a decision on request for Thaksin's warrant on terrorism charge on May 27, DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said late Wednesday.

The DSI sought and received the latest batch of nine warrants on the nine suspects involved in violating the emergency rule.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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Immigration Division1 services only for foreigners residing in Bangkok will be closed on 20th - 21st May,2010. at 3 offices located as follows;

1. Immigration Division1 , Soi SuaPlu , Satorn Rd.

2. The Govenment Complex , Chaengwattana Rd.,

3. One Stop Center for Visa and Work Permits located at Chamchuri Square Buliding , Phayathai Rd.

For foreigners who stay in Bangkok and wishing to extend their temporary stay and their visa will be expired on 17th - 21st May 2010, the fine for overstaying of those two days will be excepted if only they contact the Immigration Division1 on the first day of services opening under the Government announcement.

For more detials call 0-2141-9889

posted on 19 May 2010<<- back to

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...mp;section=news

[Thaivisa News]

AFP: Thailand's biggest shopping mall faces collapse, said police

AFP: "The fire at Central World is put under control but the side of Zen department store building began to collapse," said Police

'Good morning..George...I see the blue sky...' /via @Zachitect

Video of Central World this morning http://bit.ly/9fl7W9 /via @Hurtzel @tulsathit

CNN: 'Bangkok like war zone as military cracks down on protesters' http://bit.ly/bXuB2T /updates: http://bit.ly/ce7we1

BBC: 'Curfew in Bangkok after surrender of red-shirt leaders' http://bit.ly/dBjryh

Some extremely intense pictures from yesterdays crackdown: http://bit.ly/cvqgMU

A blue sky can be seen over Bangkok this morning: http://twitpic.com/1p9f8e /via @yoware @suthichai

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Banks, financial institutions to remain closed

Local banks, foreign bank branches, finance companies and financial institutions in Bangkok will remain closed on Thursday May 20 until the situation improves and return to normalcy.

All major departments stores, such as Central and The Mall in Bangkok and the provinces have announced that they will also remain closed this Thursday, including Tesco-Lotus stores in Bangkok.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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International reactions on Thai violent politcal unrest

The European Union called for political reconciliation in Thailand as too much blood has been spilled, EU parliament president Jerzy Buzek said.

The United States government urged restraint in Thailand and peaceful resolution of

differences between anti-government protesters and the army.

The U.S. State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said Washington condemns protesters' attacks on reporters and burning many properties in Bangkok.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon is deeply concerned about the violence in Thailand, including a rampage of arson and looting which has left at least six people dead.

Italian politicians paid tribute to Fabio Polenghi, the photographer who died in line of duty in Bangkok on Wednesday. He was caught in the cross-fire between government protesters and government troops.

-- The Nation 2010-05-20

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MCOT: Fire at 32 spots in BKK including 17 branches of five banks; firefighters try to put out flame at Big C Ratchadamri