As reports of violent clashes north of Bangkok involving guns and teargas start to trickle in, security around the Silom business area is expanded. Here, dozens of police in riot gear are mobilized at Soi Taneeya.
Only metres away from the riot police, motorcycle taxi riders are utterly unperturbed. For now, chess remains the only game in this part of town.
Dozens of police in riot gear line up in Soi Taneeya in preparation for deployment to the 'front line' around the corner.
By the evening, access via area roads is gradually being shut down. Red on this map above northbound Silom, shows most traffic at a standstill.
Part of the traffic control system on Silom Road as authorities prepare to shut down access to the rally site about one kilometre away.
