BMA workers clean protest sites; CRES to give press conference for foreign envoys, media

BANGKOK, May 22 (TNA) -- Workers of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Saturday continued cleaning former protesting sites of anti-

government movement in the Thai capital while the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) is to give a press conference for foreign envoys and journalists on government operations in dispersing the protesters.

BMA workers moved into Bangkok’s seven designated disaster areas, earlier held by protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD),

and began to clean the roads and collect garbage which is now quite malodorous.

Outsiders are still not allowed to enter burned areas of Ratchaprasong and Siam Square, prime shopping districts in Bangkok, burned by hardcore UDD protesters.

However, owners of shops in the areas are allowed to inspect the damage inflicted on their property but they must register their names before entering the areas. Vehicles are forbidden entry to the inferno-hit areas.

Smoke still billowed from Central World mall, Thailand’s largest shopping centre, at Ratchaprasong intersection early Saturday, especially from the underground floor, as fire and other emergency workers entered in search of more evidence.

Outsiders and journalists were not allowed entry.

Inspection is expected to be complete late Saturday and the burned facility is to be returned to its owner Sunday.

In another development, CRES authorities will hold a press conference for foreign envoys and journalists at 3pm at its office on government operations in dispersing protesters at Ratchaprasong intersection on Wednesday and will also display a large amount of military weapons from the protesters.

The display will also include army and police weapons seized by the protesters during the clashes. (TNA)