THE mayhem that has gripped Bangkok for weeks finally spread to the northern capital with skirmishes and arson reported around Narawat Bridge early this afternoon.
Red shirt demonstrators threw burning tires into riverside municipal offices in Chiang Mai, setting the building ablaze. Two military trucks rushed to the scene and gunfire has recently been heard.
Protestors hurled rocks at passing police vehicles and a fires were lit around the night bazaar area and close to the River Ping.
An observer told 1stop exclusively: “There’s a big fire at the east end of Nawarat Bridge where red shirts seem to have made a barricade with tires and benches.
“The police seem to have gotten in and dispersed everything but they will still not allow cars into the area.
“There are still a lot of fires burning which security officers are rolling into the river to put out. There’s a school just nearby where the kids have been locked in to keep them safe.
“Black smoke is still billowing from the barracade and two fire trucks look like they were attacked there with their front windows smashed.”
Graffiti saying ‘S**t abhisit kill people’, ‘UN help please’ has been drawn on the side of Narawat Bridge.
The trouble in the red shirt stronghold of Chiang Mai is thought to have been in retaliation for happenings in Bangkok where troops reclaimed most of the area around the Ratchaprasong rally site this morning.
Armoured personnel carriers demolished tyre and bamboo barricades while clashes between protestors and troops continue to wage around the capital.
At least four people, including an Italian journalist, died in todays operation whole more than 50 suffered serious injuries.
A spokesman for the Thai government said the operation to secure Lumpini Park area was successful and that buses have been prepared at the Pathumwan intersection for protesters wanting to return home.
The conflict has had a dire effect on the Thai tourism industry with thousands of holidays to Bangkok cancelled and many of the region’s hotels empty.
Thaksin-supporting red shirts want a ballot before the current leader of the Thai military steps down to ensure a sympathetic figure is installed in his place.
The former Manchester City FC chairman has been on the run since he was ousted in a military coup and faces corruption charges should he return to Thailand.
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