BANGKOK, May 19 (UPI) -- Rioting, looting and firebombing broke out in Bangkok's business district Wednesday following a government crackdown on Red Shirt protesters.
The New York Times reported the demonstrators torched Thailand's stock exchange, two banks, a television station and a large shopping mall.
A curfew was ordered for 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday and the city's subway system was closed.
Violence also was reported in at least three northeastern provinces, with Thai media reporting thousands of protesters attacked the city halls in three provincial capitals, the Times said.
With the violence spreading, Voice of America reported Thai authorities extended the curfew to include 23 provinces.
VOA said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said soldiers had stabilized areas previously held by protesters, but acknowledged peace had not yet been restored.
"We are still facing with a few pockets of trouble in several places in Bangkok," he said. "We would like to ask for your cooperation to remain in your own household."
The chaos erupted despite anti-government protest leaders surrendering to Thai police after a deadly army assault on the protesters' encampment in the business district.
Several protest leaders, including key Red Shirt leaders Jatuporn Prompan and Natthawut Saikua, surrendered after the military offensive to retake Bangkok's commercial area where the anti-government protesters squatted for more than a month, Thai News Agency reported.
"We cannot resist against these savages anymore," Jatuporn said on a stage in the protest area prior to his surrender, triggering booing from those wanting to continue the protest.
"Please listen to me!" he said. "Brothers and sisters, I will use the word 'beg.' I beg you. We have to end this for now."
VOA said at least six people, including an Italian photographer, died and dozens were injured in the government assault on the barricaded encampment, adding to the death toll that has reached into the dozens since the protests started in March, the Times reported.
Several thousand protesters have demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dissolution of his government and new elections. Most of the protesters support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now in exile after being ousted in a 2006 coup.
Thai News Agency reported the Abhisit government restated negotiations could be possible only if the Red Shirts end their protest.
Abhisit spokesman Sathit Wongnongtoey told a news conference the government supports negotiation but its proposed reconciliation plan had been rejected by the Red Shirts.
The Thai Cabinet declared Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as holidays in the interest of public safety, extending similar holidays declared for Monday and Tuesday, TNA reported.
