Bangkok set on fire

BANGKOK, 19 May 2010 (NNT) – Many spots in the capital city have been set on fire, including the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) Headquarters, and entries and exits to Khlong Toei station of MRT underground.

Protestors of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on Wednesday morning at 6.45 hrs set the ONCB Headquarters at Din Daeng Junction on fire. Nearby residents and reporters tried to put off the fire, but they were chased away by the protestors.

Media members were impeded from recording the footage of the incident while some of the residents living near the ONCB Headquarters had to pack their belongings and evacuate. The fire was under control as of 7.30 hrs.

MRT underground staff at Khlong Toei station at 7.39 hrs reported that a group of unidentifiable black clad rioters broke into the station and splashed oil over the entries and exits of the underground and set them on fire. Nearby residents tried to impede the rioters and put off the fire.

According to the latest development, the fire could be controlled. Nevertheless, MRT underground staff still prohibited media members from entering the premise.

Meanwhile, Chulalongkorn Hospital is preparing to evacuate patients out of the premise via Henri Dunant Road after smoke from car tyres burned by the UDD were blown into the hospital. However, no fire has been detected inside the hospital so far.

UDD protestors still continue to burn car tyres on Rama IV Road near Bon Kai community, causing smoke around the area while a group of unidentifiable black clad rioters tried to set residences nearby on fire. Smoke was blown into an animal clinic nearby, forcing an immediate evacuation of animals there.

In addition, chemical bombs were found on Thai-Belgian Bridge. Security officers hence have to work near the area carefully. No further details about the bomb have been reported thus far.