The curfew will be imposed on Wednesday from 8pm through Thursday 6am. People are banned from leaving their places during the stated time without permission from authorities.
The curfew will allow security forces to control the situation and separate innocent people from rogue protesters, according to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan addressing to Agent-France-Presse (AFP).
The imposition of curfew came as several areas of Bangkok including downtown are under arson attacks by Red Shirt protesters who do not accept the surrender of their leaders and the end of protest at Ratchaprasong
rally site.
Rioters set fires at a section of the Thai stock exchange, several banks, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority office, the high-end Central World shopping mall and a cinema complex as well as several other buildings.
Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Satit Vongnongteay told a news conference describing the chaos as anticipated "aftershocks.'' by angry protesters.
Earlier, CRES, in a nationally televised address, said the situation is now under control and the troops ended security operation after Jatuporn Prompan, Natthawut saikua and other top leaders surrendered to police.
The surrender of Red Shirt leaders came as troops approached Ratchaprasong area to retake the compound after more than a month-long protest at the capital's prime commercial area.
CRES spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the troops could take over Lumpini Park around 7am and then carried out their security operation to reduce the Red Shirt protest area.
During the military operation, said Col Sansern, the terrorists attempted to create situation by setting state buildings and private property on fire. It is necessary that police and army personnel had to continue their
operation to maintain order.
Five persons, including an Italian journalist, were reportedly killed during clashes between troops and Red Shirts.
"CRES can control the overall situation," said Col Sansern, "Now we are facilitating the people to return to their homes."
The spokesman said authorities have provided transports for the protesters at Supachalasai Stadium, reasserting police and army halted their operation and roads have been opened for protesters who want to go to
Supachalasai stadium.
However, immediately after CRES live broadcast, disgruntled protesters set afire downtown Bangkok.
Black-clad men shot windows of Central World and set its ground floor afire, while Siam cinema, opposite to Siam Paragon, collapsed after fire raged.
Central Group orders closure at Central Plaza nationwide except at Chonburi and Pattaya.
Meanwhile, protesters at Victory Monument said they did not accept the Red Shirt leaders'decision to surrender and set the Government Savings Bank in Din Daeng area on fire.
Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) building on Ratchadapisek Road was also set afire on its first floor.
Metropolitan Electricity Authority office at Klong Toei also engulfed with fire set by Red Shirt protesters and Bangkok Bank branch at TV channel 3's Maleenont Building also set ablaze.
Less than an hour later, Channel 3's broadcasting was suspended. Hundreds of workers are stuck in the Maleenont building awaiting rescue.
The English-language Bangkok Post newspaper, about 2 km from Maleenont building, earlier evacuated its staff. (TNA)
By: MCOT
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