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This Article is From May 19, 2010

As violence spreads, curfew declared in Bangkok

Bangkok:
thaiprotestgrid2.jpg
The Thai government has declared a curfew in Bangkok from 8 pm until 6 am as rioting and violence spread across the capital. (Read: Thai protest leaders surrender, call for end to sit-in)

An announcement signed by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and broadcast on television said nobody in the capital is allowed out of their homes during those times unless they have permission from authorities.

This is the first curfew declared in Thai capital since 1992. The curfew was declared on Wednesday after Bangkok became a raging battleground in the aftermath of an army crackdown on protesters.

The Red Shirt protest leaders surrendered to authorities but enraged protesters set fires and rioted around the capital.

At least two protesters and an Italian news photographer were killed. Two other foreign journalists and 15 Thais were wounded in the fighting.

Staff at the Thai local TV station Channel 3 say their building has been attacked by Red Shirt protesters.

One staffer said cars parked outside the building were set on fire and protesters then entered the Channel 3 building.

A journalist said the Red Shirts also set fires at the Stock Exchange of Thailand building.
Journalists at Bangkok Post daily said they were evacuating their building following threats from the Red Shirts.

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