Bangkok burns as troops struggle to bring order

Black smoke has spread across central Bangkok this morning as anti-government protesters refuse to back down after army troops stormed their encampment yesterday afternoon.

Red Shirt protesters, who had been camped in Rajprasong, the capital's premier shopping and office district, for more than six weeks, were dispersed yesterday after being raided by government troops who were ordered to "shoot on site". And while most of the 2000 protesters surrendered and hopped onto buses heading home, militant gangs continued to clash with troops well into the night resulting in a death toll of at least six.

It prompted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to impose a 10-hour curfew in the capital and 23 other provinces in order to "end the problems and return the country to peace and order once again." However, government troops were unable to control militants who set fire to more than two dozen buildings including the city's largest shopping centre - Central World, the stock exchange, electricity headquarters, a movie theatre, banks and government headquarters.

"All this area will burn and wherever I go I am okay because the army is fighting ghosts far behind me," a Red Shirt commander told the Telegraph yesterday. "They are attacking the Red Shirt stage but all of Bangkok is supporting our effort."

Several countries have already warned its citizens not to travel to Bangkok, with the Australian DFAT yesterday upgrading its travel warning for the capital city to "Do Not Travel". But the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has continued to tell the world that the city is safe.

"PATA emphasises that travel to Thailand is still safe" said PATA CEO Greg Duffell. "The major part of Bangkok remains open and accessible for tourists and business travelers with hotels, shops and tourist sites open for business."