Bangkok Burns, CRES imposed a Curfew as at yesterday, Wednesday, 19 May 2010

Four Thai anti-government protest leaders including Natthawut Saikua and Jatuporn Prompan surrendered to police on Wednesday.

Red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan announced from the stage at 1.15pm that that he and other leaders would surrender to prevent further losses.

"I apologise to you all but I don't want any more losses. I am devastated too. We will surrender," he said.

He also announced the ending of the anti-government protest.

But the announcement did not put the end to waves of rioting and arsoning around the capital. Many key buildings were set ablaze such as the stock exchange, several banks, the headquarters of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, Central World shopping complex and the TV Channel 3 station on Rama IV Road.

The Channel 3 was forced to stop broadcasting in the late afternoon after the building was set on fire. Employees of the network had to flee to the building's top floor waiting for evacuation by helicopter.

The army spokesman said in a television broadcast the protest site was under army control and the military had halted operations.

At least four people died after troops moved in early in the day. Even as the leaders were surrendering, three grenades exploded outside the main protest site, badly wounding two soldiers and a foreign journalist.

The Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), meanwhile, imposed a curfew in Bangkok during 8pm to 6am. Thais and foreign residents were asked to stay home. Those who need to travel outside Bangkok and overseas were told to carry passports and travel documents.

The mopping-up operations were expected to continue throughout the night as military forces try to contain hard-core protesters and other rioters.