Central World and Siam Paragon remain closed Monday, April 5

Central World and Siam Paragon remain closed on Monday despite government threats to make arrests and take legal action against red shirt protesters who have set up camp in the central shopping district, an area popular with some foreign tourists and affluent Thai people.

Red shirt protesters continue to beat their drums

Siam Paragon closed

Entrance to Central World from the sky bridge closed again

The more affordable Big C supermarket opposite Central World, and the EGV entertainment complex, was also closed to visitors, as was expensive and frequently empty Gaysorn Shopping Plaza.

Big C and EGV center closed

According to media reports, many red shirt supporters had taken their protest to the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (สำนักงานคณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง) frequently referred to as Kor Kor Tor (กกต.). Numbers were clearly down from yesterday evening, but with the blistering daytime temperatures and lack of shade on Ratchadamri Road, the reasons were clearly understandable. Most protesters had sensibly taken cover under the route of the BTS Sky Train on Rama 1 and Ploenchit Road, and it remains to be seen whether numbers will swell into the thousands again this evening.

Red shirt protesters seeking shade under the BTS route

Business appeared to continue as usual at nearby shopping centers including the Platinum Fashion Mall, Pratunam Center, and Pantip Plaza. Market stalls set up along Petchaburi Road and Ratchaprarop Road continued to offer their usual fare of fake Gucci Bags and knock off clothing to tourists.

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Petchaburi Road unaffected by red shirt protests

UPDATE: traffic appeared to be flowing normally along Petchaburi Road when I visited around 1.30 p.m. today, although some bus routes must have been changed or canceled. Certainly, the bus driver of the #2 bus I got on didn't seem to be aware or sure of the route he should take.

Here's a photo taken outside Platinum Fashion Mall:

Outside Platinum Fashion Mall on Petchaburi Road during red shirt protests

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