Tesco’s stores in Thailand are thought to have escaped the worst of the violence that has engulfed the capital, Bangkok, over the last few days.

There were reports that Tesco Lotus stores had been forced to close and that some had been targeted by arsonists as protestors clashed with the army. A curfew has been imposed in Bangkok and 23 provinces.

During the unrest Central World, one of South-East Asia’s biggest shopping centres, was torched and there are fears it may collapse.

Shore Capital analyst Clive Black said: “We have spoken with Tesco regarding the situation in Thailand, where CROIs are among the highest in the international division.

“Whilst the civil situation is clearly challenging and fluid, we are not aware of any damage to Tesco stores although a small number are believed to have been closed for a period.

“News pictures or burning shopping centres are clearly a concern, but to date none of these has housed a Lotus store.”

Tesco has been operating in Thailand, where it has 614 shops and serves 6m customers a week, since 1998.

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