Problems in Udon Thani

I have seen a few rallies in the area before but never any violence. This area of Thailand has a Strong Red Shirt following. Yesterday after the break down of the Red Shirt demonstrations in Bangkok we saw a smoke plume come up from the downtown area of the city (Udon). Unfortunately Uefa (8 years old) was still at school near the center of the city. His mother was afraid to go get him. So I hopped on the bus and went into town to get him. I had no problems what so ever. I switched buses in the center of town and got off the bus at the central police station and jail near Uefa's school. I walked several blocks to the school and returned. I did see some police at the police station with the riot shields blocking entrances to the police station compound. When I go back I was informed the the city had gone to Marshall Law and that the army had moved into town. There had been some problems at the city hall. I guess they burned a car and some tires. As I understand it now, school is optional tomorrow. I guess we will be staying close to home tomorrow. Just to put some perspective to my home's location I am about 7 kilometers out of town (Udon Thani) and Udon is about 560 kilometers from Bangkok. It has been active around here lately but people are acting normally and going about their business as usual.

Update:  I did see on the local news this morning that protesters did set fire to a government building downtown yesterday about 4 blocks from where I was.  The police kept it pretty well sealed off I guess because I did not notice the activity.  The convenient store across the road from my house opened late this morning.  I kidded with the owner that she was keekeeiet (lazy).  She said "No." that she was held up by the curfew and could not get here from her house in Nong Bua Lam Phu (about 40 Kilometers away).  Additionally, we did lose power last night for a few hours but I am not sure that it was related to the Red Shirt activity.

5/20/2010 I see now in the NY Times news that 2 city halls in outlying provinces were set on fire.  One of them was a few blocks from where I was walking 2 days ago.  We are still under curfew for the next 3 days at least.  I am going out into the country tomorrow up near the Laos border about 160 kilometers from here.  I hope to stay there for a few days.  Maybe things will settle down some by then.