A curfew was imposed across Bangkok and some other areas as Thailand's government issued a statement via TV Wendesday afternoon, forbidding the public to go outdoors from 8 p.m. Wendesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

The Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) imposed a curfew in Bangkok, nearby cities and provinces in the North and Northeast that was earlier under emergency law.

The order for the public to stay indoors is to facilitate the troops to perform their duty, and to ensure the safety of the people and the properties, said the statement signed by the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The state authorities are allowed to perform duty in the restricted areas to help restore peace and order.

The curfew was imposed as Bangkok and other provinces saw ravaging violence and riots after the "red-shirts" leader announced an end to their two-month-odd rally in Bangkok and surrendered to the police.

Meanwhile, a number of "red-shirts" protestors refused to accept their leaders' resolution to end the rally and began to set fires, according to Bangkok Post online. Billows of thick smoke from fire are seen rising from various spots across the city.

Some buildings including Central World, Siam Paragon shopping centers and TV Channel 3 headquarters, are on fire.