Violence in Thailand Erupts

May 19, 2010— -- Bangkok, a great sprawling city, was brought to its knees by violence today. The stock exchange was firebombed, a shopping mall burned and millions of people were warned to stay indoors.

The violence in Thailand has been going on for six weeks. Today, officials confirmed five protesters and an Italian news photographer were killed and at least 60 people were wounded.

Since the violence began in mid-March, at least 80 people have been reported killed and nearly 1,800 injured.

Today, the government gave the anti-government protestors, called Red Shirts, an ultimatum. Thai troops stormed the camps that protestors had made their home, crushing barricades with armored vehicles and opening fire.

Seven leaders of the protest surrendered to the government, infuriating their followers. They took their anger out across the city, setting off grenades and setting landmarks on fire. A cloak of black smoke shrouded the skyline.

Some of the worst violence happened near a Buddhist temple. Mark MacKinnon, a Canadian reporter, watched his colleague get shot in the leg.

"We were sort of trapped with everyone else in there," said MacKinnon. "There were seven dead people in the compound with us, 10 others on stretchers, including my colleague, and one guy who died in front of us."

MacKinnon called the violence tragic.

The past few months have been a black mark on the image of Thailand, a country known as a tourist mecca, a prosperous democracy and an ally of the United States.