Some Bangkok residents ventured out on Thursday to act and take stock of the damage to the city the day after the government evicted thousands of anti-government demonstrators from a city district which trigger fires, riots and intense street fighting.
Some customers in the Emporium shopping center - which was set on fire as the popular Central World shopping center - drinking latte, got her hair styled, or through reading books. But a sign reminding them that the place would close at 6 pm to leave enough time for patrons to get home ahead of a new night in an entire city curfew.
"I feel very sad. I can not believe this happened in Thailand. Murder is not acceptable in Buddhism," says Siripattra Sitisak, a 30-year-old hotel owner. "I'm nervous about attacks from underground organizations that want to bomb other buildings and set fire to them. "
Another mall patron saint, Szukalska Bogner, a 25 year old man from Poland who has lived in Bangkok for four years, said Wednesday events show "face in Thailand is changing."
"When I first came here as a tourist were to have a relaxed and good time in a safe country. It was rare to see any aggression between the Thais and the foreigners," she said. "Now, I'm just really shocked. I and two of my other friends are thinking of leaving the country. It is not Thailand, we know more. "
Wednesday increased the army in Lumpini Park, the area where anti-government protesters, known as the "red shirts, had" gathered thousands in recent months. After hours of intense street fighting, seven red shirt leaders were taken into custody. Red Shirt leaders called off protests but it seems like many people do not heed the call.
Minor rioting broke out throughout the city. A dozen buildings - including a bank, a police station, a local television station and the Central World, the country's largest shopping mall - was set on fire. In all, 34 buildings burned, a government spokesman said.
At least 44 people were killed in clashes in recent weeks, and nearly 400 people were wounded, officials said.
What is the protest over?
Officials extended a dawn to dusk curfew Sunday in the hope that their attacks on protesters would hold.
Bangkok residents: "This is a mini-civil war"
In another part of Bangkok, Rujira Jeawskun, a 22-year international coordinator for a travel agency, said she resigned Thursday in her neighborhood to buy groceries.
"There are people who go out to live their lives, too, but it's not as busy or as crowded as usual in Bangkok, she said, noting that the major issues among its neighbors was the red shirts and Central World Mall Fire. "I must say that I am not a red shirt, I'm not a yellow shirt (as opposed to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra). I'm not some shirts. But I feel so sad. How can people ask for democracy burn our country so? "
Back at the Emporium. Jakaphom Boonyai, a seller who said he felt better after the government had more control.
"As the next day, 50-50 I - I would not be surprised if any violence will continue to break out. I see the latest news as much as I can know what's going on out there."
Jeawskun said she was not optimistic that residents would get back together soon.
"I believe put the city back together, mentally, it will be long. ... Our feeling is not the same anymore. Can we trust the other when the news so that we Thai people doing hurtful things to Thailand?" She said. "Maybe rebuild the city can be fast, but understanding among Thai people can take a long time. "
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