Exclusive Photos - Bangkok, Thailand - May 2010

Wednesday afternoon, May 19th - Bangkok is burning.

The protest leaders have surrendered after the army moved into the protester's make-shift fortress to disperse them. Now the protesters are angry and leaderless, and have been setting things (like shopping malls) on fire to vent their anger.

The grocery store on my street has closed, as have all convenience stores nearby, and the mall. Public bus lines have stopped running, as well as the above ground rail system and the subway. Traffic is a nightmare. Military helicopters are patrolling overhead, while smoke from fires in various parts of the city hangs in the sky. People on the streets move about hurriedly with an air of nervous anticipation and uncertainty that is noticeably more intense than in the last few days of this situation. For the first time, the government has imposed a curfew, which is in effect from 8PM Wednesday to 6AM Thursday.


Journalists have reportedly become targets, both Thai and foreigners alike. I took a quick walk to the nearest BTS station (above ground rail), which was closed (and has been since last Friday), to take a few pictures of the skyline from a safe location.

For real time reporting by on-the-ground journalists, check out these links:
twitter.com...
twitter.com...

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Double post from another thread (sorry)...

Some powerful images from the troubles in Bangkok:

HERE