Podcast
Bangkok residents sweep away remnants of riots
Updated: 2010-05-24 11:29
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英語學習論壇的“聽力練習區”正式與大家見面啦。歡迎大家來這里練習聽力，交流經驗，共同進步。
本練習區的音頻文件選自英語點津的“聽中國日報”、“VOA常速”、“流行金曲”及“名人演講”等欄目，題材豐富，難度各異，適合不同階段的英語學習者。
英語點津會定期發布音頻材料，大家可以在跟帖中貼出自己聽寫出的音頻文字稿。每個音頻材料的標準文字稿會在帖子發布兩天后公布。
Thai authorities launched a massive clean-up operation in Bangkok's charred commercial district on Sunday as the city prepared for the resumption of business after one of the worst riots in modern history.
Financial markets, government offices and schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday.
Thousands of residents, angered by the riots that devastated their city, on Sunday scratched off anti-government posters and swept away tons of rubbish.
"I think the 'red shirts' are not Thai people because they destroyed things, they destroyed Bangkok, they destroyed Thailand," said dress shop owner Kasana Opasthanakoon, as he inspected the destruction. "My friends have shops here, destroyed, they have nothing."
The opposition group, drawn from rural masses and the urban poor, are demanding new elections, saying they have been disenfranchised by a Bangkok elite backed by the military.
They have said they will resume protests next month.
At the charred protest site in Bangkok's Rachaprasong district the "red shirts" had occupied, thousands of Bangkok residents armed with straw brooms, plastic gloves, garbage bags and face masks, poured in after the army declared it safe.
"We love Thailand, we love Bangkok. We will try to take back our city today," said teacher Tor as she led a group of students.
Teenage girls from one of the city's most prestigous schools marched into the once-deadly no man's land, carrying a sign "Students Lets Clean Project," decorated with pink hearts.
"It's very upsetting, it was a nightmare in Bangkok," said one of the students from Triam Udom Suksa school. "I am sad but we will bring it back to life."
At least 54 people have been killed and over 400 injured in the violence since May 14. Almost 40 major buildings in the city were set on fire and the tourism and retail industries have been devastated.
（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）
Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for the China daily for one year.