Thailand clamped night time curfew in capital Bangkok and 23 other provinces as the Army stormed a barricaded protest camp of the Red Shirts, with the protesters setting fire to around 20 buildings, a TV station and the stock exchange in Bangkok. Five people were killed today, including an Italian journalist in the army crackdown, taking the toll to 60 in the recent anti-government protest. Three other foreign journalists and scores of Thais were wounded in the violence.
All Indian nationals in the country are reportedly safe. Bangkok is a favourite destination among Indian tourists and a small group from India continued to enjoy the city's attractions though with caution, an Indian national who did not wish to be named said.
Rioters set fires at the Thai stock exchange, several banks, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, the high-end Central World shopping mall and a cinema complex that collapsed. The Thai government declared a curfew in Bangkok from 8 pm until 6 am. An announcement signed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and broadcast on TV banned anyone from leaving home during those times without permission from authorities.
The unrest during the past few weeks has been around central Bangkok forcing some big hotels to shut down. Bangkok has a vast expatriate Indian population. Susha Stephen Varugis, a former corporate lawyer and daughter of late congress leader C M Stephen, who has been living in Bangkok for several years said the situation in Bangkok was very unsettling.
Another expatriate Anna Khendry, who is active in the Bangkok community Theatre, said it was scary to see Bangkok in the present state as it was very uncertain. Many school children have stayed back in school to enable them to take their ongoing exams. Most of the embassies have closed operations the past few days as the protesters turned violent battling with government soldiers from their encampment base.
Thai security forces began their operation to clear up the protesters early this morning with tanks and foot soldiers moving in smashing through bamboo barricades set up the the Red Shirt protesters who want the government to step down and arresting key protest leaders. The government has blamed former premier and the hero of the protesters, Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently on a self imposed exile, for the current situation.
Checkpoints have been set up across Bangkok. Analysts say the government has a tough time ahead to pacify the ordinary Thais. Trade in the stock exchange is to be suspended for the rest of the week. The anti-government protest has impact tourism and the Ministry of Finance says that the damage caused by the protests could be about half a percentage point of the GDP.
Army spokesman said on TV that the troops were in complete control of the protest camp, heralding an end to a six-week standoff that has claimed at least 60 lives and injured thousands of others. Gun shots and explosions continued to echo as protest leaders were escorted from the camp's main stage to the police station.
The Red Shirt demonstrators, who want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government to step down, drew thousands of mainly rural supporters to the encampment. "Had the monsoons come, most of these demonstrators would have rushed back to their villages," Ramesh, an Indian national who has lived in the Thai capital for over two decades said.
Many don't know why they were told to come and take part in th protest but subsequently became a vociferous part of it. "We will continue to fight for democracy; this is not our day," Nattawut Saikuar, one of several Red Shirt leaders, said at the police station. Red shirt supporters set fire to a city hall in Udon Thani Province in northeast Thailand. The government remains committed to a new election and measures to bring about reconciliation, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said in an interview with a foreign TV network.
Meanwhile, Thaksin, said on Twitter that he appreciated the move of the Red Shirts to surrender thereby saving lives. Thaksin, a 60-year-old self made millionaire, was highly popular among the rural poor through his various schemes especially cheap health care and loans. Many feel the foreign educated suave premier Abhisit, 45, could make a "good diplomat" but not a good leader who could understand the needs of the grassroots.
Thaksin, who was ousted by the Thai army in 2006, fled the country in 2008 before a court sentenced him to two years in prison on corruption charges. Since 1946, when King Bhumibol Adulyadej took the Thai throne as an 18-year-old, Thailand has seen nine coups and more than 20 prime ministers. The highly revered Thai king has not spoken publicly about the current demonstrations.