May 20, 2010
Very soon I’m gonna lose count on the number of days we have been greatly “inconvenienced”, and by then I really do hope that I have long stopped counting these dreadful days because it will finally be over.
Things started out relatively calm again this morning. So calm that we began to think that we could just be going back home this time tomorrow. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case as the government has extended curfew for 3 more days in Bangkok soon enough. More news came in with things started being pretty unstable again with reports of loud bangs heard in Ratchprasong area, explosion heard in Lumpini park area, fire bomb elements found in container between Ploenchit and Chidlom intersections that apparently ca unleash a powerful blast within 100m radius as well as reports coming in of heightened activity at Ratchprasong again as troops scan for snipers along roof tops.
Sometime in the early evening, I got a text message informing me that there would be more trouble brewing tonight around the area where we live.
The possibility of being able to go home tomorrow looked bleak …
May 19, 2010
I don’t remember the last time I had a curfew imposed on me. I reckon, it must have been ages ago when I was still a delinquent teenager, when I just D.R.E.A.D the word CURFEW! Yet, this time, it felt like a great relieve that the government finally imposed a curfew in Bangkok from 8 pm onwards today as they set out to “clean up” the city. That means, pretty much every thing else is game as a live target if you are out and about after the stipulated time.
At about half an hour to curfew, the city became eerily quiet again. As we continue to scour for update news with the TV in the background, shuttling between BBC, CNN and Channel Newsasia, I could feel my hair stood on ends as I saw pictures after pictures of Central World which, at the current time of posting, is currently burning to the ground.
At this stage, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief that we are rather far from the main area. Central World is too close to our apartment and with the mayhem happening all around it, I’m not sure if I can keep my blood pressure down. It really is a sad, sad day. I’m just hoping that whoever is left at our apartment building managed to stay safe. That and all those soldiers positioned along our soi will do their utmost to guard the area with their lives and that our apartment will still be there when we come back for it.
Right this moment, I’m just feeling an incredible amount of fatique and exhaustion from the entire ordeal. Perhaps, I can sleep a little better tonight knowing that we (husband and cats) are all together with me in a safer place.
Snippet and pictures of the aflamed Central World:
May 19, 2010
Shortly after settling down in our new location, the alleged protest leaders apparently surrendered themselves to the authorities. Within minutes, all hell broke loose as the rogue Reds decided to take matters into their own hands and declared independence from their leaders.
As at 2010-05-19, 15:21:16 Post #130
- Thai TV just reported riots breaking out in Chonburi as well.
- Central World: http://yfrog.com/1smvsj
- The biggest fire I’ve seen of yet LIVE PIC http://yfrog.com/3zbbbuj /via @beejoir
- Update: The Stock Exchange of Thailand Building on Ratchadapisek Road was reportedly set on fire.
- The fire was set at Maruay Library, the first floor of the building.
- @bangkok: The Stock Exchange is ablaze. Flames twice as bad since I’ve uploaded this. http://twitpic.com/1p32g5
- ThaiPBS reporter states there is fire at Siam Square. Cinema is on fire; fire has spread to MK restaurant in Siam Square
- The curfew may be being considered in the evening meeting @5pm, The Nation reporters
- Reuters: Thai Stock Exchange (SET) on fire. SET president says first floor set ablaze. Fire at Siam Square. Siam Theatre has collapsed, MK restaurant burning.
Source: Thaivisa
Bangkok literally went up in flames as the Reds were hell-bent on
destroying the city. As I’m writing this, more and more places are being targeted for arson and looting. We could still see the smokes engulfing the sky from the balcony of the apartment which we relocated to. As we see the news all around, all I can say for now is that Bangkok has seen better days. It is such a shame that it has now been destroyed by the irresponsible people who used their poverty and quest for democracy as an excuse to commit such a crime.
