Bangkok – After some of the worst violence the country has ever seen, Thailand’s capital is struggling to recover after mayhem which destroyed more than 30 buildings, including the iconic Siam Theater, and the huge Central World shopping mall and hotel complex, which is now in danger of collapsing.

Among the shattered businesses, the gay area of Silom has not come out unscathed, although none of the bars or pubs were damaged, the financial toll has been high as they were forced to close down due to fierce street clashes, and now a curfew.

One hard hit restaurant chain is the gay owned ‘Bug & Bee’ which has an outlet in Silom Road, one in Siam Paragon which has been closed for many weeks, and they were about to open a new branch in Central World on the day that area was invaded by protesters.

There are reports that some other gay venues may not survive the turmoil too.

The city is now undergoing a major clean-up operation and transport links should be operating again within a few days, but billions of baht will be needed to renovated the damage done, but for many its already too late.