Government offices, schools, the stock exchange and banks have reopened and the commuter rail networks have resumed limited operations. However, with the extension of a curfew for another week, ongoing disruptions to multiple supply chains are now affecting many businesses.

Origins of curfews: For many, curfews relate to the closure of airports to prevent late-night noise pollution. Many cities (including Bangkok) have placed curfews on heavy vehicles travelling inside designated areas. In some communities they are applied to curb juvenile delinquency.

Curfews are a restrictive measure forcing all people into their homes to reduce activity against the government or security force. The custom originated as a precaution against fires and was common throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.

Curfew means literally "cover fire". The meaning relates to a signal given at a particular time in the evening to extinguish all fires in a town or camp; its original purpose seems to have been to prevent accidental fires breaking out at night.

Curfews and logistics don't mix: With the introduction of curfews, logistics firms, retailers and traders are being restricted in their ability to deliver goods - most often undertaken at night. Many retailers - particularly convenience stores and supermarkets - replenish their stock at night. Perishables are delivered at night to minimise damage from sun or heat. The current curfew has forced changes to delivery schedules from logistics centres to the retail trade, as the daytime curfew on heavy vehicles entering the city have not been relaxed.

Many long-haul transport operators drive their trucks between cities at night, long-distance deliveries are being adjusted according to the curfew restrictions on both departure and arrival locations. While foreigners travelling to and from the airport are exempted from the curfew if they are carrying passports and valid travel documents, the situation regarding taxi drivers travelling to the airport to pick up passengers is unclear.

Counting the cost: During the political unrest shopping districts of Bangkok were said to have been losing $32 million daily. However the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the country's biggest shopping mall were among dozens of locations set ablaze in the chaotic aftermath, with the cost to rebuild not yet confirmed.

Foreign investors have already shown some signs of withdrawing from Thailand - since violence broke out last month; foreign investors have sold $584 million worth of Thai shares, leaving Thai stocks among the cheapest in Asia.

Future growth affected: Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij has forecast economic growth of between 4.5% and 5% this year, but the civil unrest is threatening to reduce that figure. After meeting with business associations, Mr Korn has said the protests could cut 0.3% off his forecast. Tourism brings in 6% of the country's GDP and provides employment to 15% of the working populace. With ongoing curfews and unresolved political issues, many international businesses are likely to restrict new business or at worst move their operations offshore.

In Summary: Although during the protests, many logistics and shipping companies with their headquarters inside the barricaded area were unable to gain access to critical documents and trading information. Now with some businesses trying to recover after losing critical revenue, staff or infrastructure, the path ahead is very difficult. Thailand's economy relies heavily on exports and how the economy performs this year will largely depend on exporters can deal with the internal restrictions and lost confidence of their overseas customers.

Further unrest would suggest a new phase in Thailand's political crisis, with the country moving toward the worst-case scenarios of prolonged violence, which in turn will result in more complexity and risk for sustainable logistics and international supply chains.