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Thai fire authorities say 20 blazes in Bangkok

19 de Maio
asiaone.com

BANGKOK - Thai fire authorities said Wednesday that arsonists have set 20 locations ablaze in Bangkok, including a massive shopping mall, a TV station, the stock exchange, a cinema and bank branches.

"We have been receiving frequent reports of fires breaking out," a fire department spokesman told AFP.

Massive plumes of smoke were billowing from Central World, one of Southeast Asia's largest shopping centres.

The offices of TV station Channel 3 and the Siam Theatre cinema in downtown bank were also ablaze. The spokesman said many Bangkok Bank branches were on fire. The bank has been targeted in the past by anti-government protesters who suspect it of financing rival groups.

The government announced a night-time curfew to deal with any "rogue protesters" who ignore a call by leaders of the anti-government "Red Shirt" movement to end their weeks-long rally in the heart of the capital.

The government has accused hardcore anti-government protesters of committing arson attacks. Some elements in the movement are reportedly unhappy with the Red Shirt leaders' decision to surrender.

Protest leaders surrendered Wednesday and told supporters to go home after a deadly army assault on their fortified encampment.

A police spokesman said crack officers had been deployed with authorisation to shoot on sight anybody looting, committing arson or inciting unrest.