Curfew extended in Thailand

Bangkok residents woke up to burning buildings on Thursday with Thai troops firing into the air as they approached a temple where several hundred anti-government protesters had sought shelter.

Red-shirt protesters gathered in the temple on Wednesday after security forces dispersed them from their camp.

An eyewitness said the protesters at the temple, including many women and children, ran in fright at the sound of the gunshots. There were reportedly at least six bodies at the site, which appeared to have been there some time.

An official from Erawan Emergency Medical Centre said she was aware of nine bodies reported to be in a temple inside the protest site, but rescue workers had so far been unable to reach it.

Fires were still burning in central Bangkok after an overnight curfew that followed a day of riots and arson in which health officials said at least seven people were killed.

Firefighters continued to battle the blazes, with a spokesman for the Bangkok governor confirming 31 fires burning on Thursday morning.

The curfew in the capital has been extended by the authorities for another three days.