Govt Announces State of Emergency

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came on national television at 6 p.m. today to announce a state of emergency for Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and some districts in Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayuthaya to control the red-shirt protest.

He said with the rally by the red-shirt group since March 12, the government has tried hard to prevent unrest for the country. However, this endeavor has not been successful. The rally has led to a violation of the law and the Constitution and has caused great inconvenience for the people, the economy, and foreign confidence in Thailand.

The situation has been especially difficult in the past two days. And today, the country saw the invasion of Parliament.

He said, therefore, today's special Cabinet meeting has decided to announce a state of emergency.

The prime minister added that the government wants the situation to return to normal, prevent misleading information that provokes social divide, prosecute rally leaders, and pave the way for effective prevention of acts of violence.

This state of emergency announcement is not intended to prosecute or go after innocent members of the public but is aimed at normalizing the situation.

The government has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban to oversee the enforcement of the state of emergency.

-- Tan Network 2010-04-07