Central Bangkok shuts down as violence continues

Many businesses and services in and around Bangkok’s two main areas affected by the ongoing protests -- Silom and Rajaprasong -- are closed on Friday as the standoff between Thai red shirt protesters and government forces continues. According to the latest from CNN, two are dead and dozens injured since the violence began Thursday night.

The chaos erupted after Thai authorities set a new deadline to seal off the Bangkok intersection where protesters have gathered by the thousands for the past month. Officials had said soldiers would seal off roads and shut down rail services leading to the Rajaprasong intersection at 6pm Thursday, leading to major chaos that included massive traffic snarls and huge line-ups for public transit as offices closed early and workers struggled to make their way home.

CNN reported that the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation in Bangkok said it had asked businesses in the affected areas to shut down until the situation is resolved. Several embassies have also decided to restrict operations on Friday, including the U.S. and British facilities.

In terms of public transportation, originally the BTS had only closed stations within the affected zones, however they announced Friday that they would close all stations at 4pm, while MRT subway trains -- only operating from the Phraram 9 to Bangsue stations -- would stop running at 7pm.

According to an article in the Nation, Centara Grand at CentralWorld, the only hotel in the Rajaprasong area that has remained open during protests, decided to close down for a week from Friday at the authorities' request, while other hotels like the Grand Hyatt Erawan, Four Seasons and InterContinental remain closed.

Shopping complexes in the Pathum Wan and Rajaprasong areas remain closed Friday, including Siam Centre, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, Gaysorn, Big C Rajdamri, Platinum Mall Pratunam, Central Chidlom and MBK. Central announced Friday morning that its Silom mall would not open Friday either.

Respected blogger Richard Barrow has put together an in-depth Google map that hightlights areas in Bangkok affected by the protests, which he updates continuously with the latest on road blockages, mall closures and attack sites.