Thai army says it has full control of Bangkok

The Thai army has declared an end to the operation against anti-government protesters and says that troops are now in control.

Despite the army claim, violence continued as Red Shirt protesters set fires in several parts of downtown Bangkok.

Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kawekamnerd told a Wednesday news conference that soldiers have entered the Rajprasong shopping district that protesters had occupied since mid-April. He said police and soldiers had completed their operations.

Seven leaders of the Red Shirt protest movement surrendered to authorities Wednesday afternoon after the army stormed their barricaded encampment, killing two protesters and an Italian photographer.