Rioting follows state of emergency in Thai capital

Swarms of anti-government protesters attacked the prime minister’s car, seized control of major intersections in the capital and commandeered buses, bringing new chaos to the Thai capital as the country’s ousted leader threatened to return from exile to lead a revolution.

The government declared a state of emergency Sunday, but, without the intervention of security forces, it was unclear how any bans could be enforced.

In front of the city’s biggest luxury mall, demonstrators danced atop two armored personnel carriers they had forced to a stop, waving flags and shouting “Democracy.” The red-shirted crowd swarmed around the vehicles and demanded the keys from the unhappy soldiers inside.

“Sorry, can’t find them,” came a muffled reply. The protesters drifted off, and the vehicles left.

The uncertain encounter – and others like it across Bangkok, where security forces stood by while protesters ran rampant – reinforced that three years of turmoil between alternating governments and protesters opposed to them seemed ready to peak again. As night fell, demonstrators demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva controlled many streets in the city center. Police vans at some intersections were abandoned and looted.

Outside the Interior Ministry earlier in the day, a furious mob attacked Abhisit’s car with poles, stones and even flower pots as it slowly made its escape. Police in riot gear nearby did nothing.