Thai rioters set fire to 39 spots in capital Bangkok: army spokesman

At least 39 places were set ablaze during the Wednesday's riot in Thailand's capital Bangkok, an army spokesman said on Thursday morning.

The number of the spots, which were set on fire, rose from 27, registered by 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Among these 39 places included state offices, private properties, shopping complexes, and television stations, Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman of Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) told the nation shortly after 11:00 a.m. local time.

The arson attacks, which had occurred after the surrender of some "red-shirt" leaders on Wednesday afternoon were planned ahead, Col. Sansern said.

Meanwhile, damages caused by the fire at Centre One shopping mall nearby the Victory Monument in central Bangkok was estimated at as high as one billion baht (30.922 million U.S. dollars), Rattapol Kraijirachote, the firm's managing director said, the Bangkok Post's website reported.

"More than 1,000 employees of about 300 shops inside Centre One are now jobless because of the arsonists," Rattapol said.

The shopping centre was set ablaze by rioters on Wednesday, while fire fighters were able to contain the fire on Thursday morning.

Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Tharit Pengdit has warned from Wednesday night that those, who set fire on several places, or create terrorism attacks, may face a maximum punishment of "death penalty".

In a bid to protect the people and their property, police will apply "a definite measure" to deal with those people who create terrorism or violence attacks, Police Lieutenant General Songpol Wattanachai, Deputy Commander of Metropolitan Police Command Center, warned.

Source: Xinhua