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State of emergency lifted in Bangkok
Source: Agencies |
December 22, 2010, Wednesday
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THAILAND'S government yesterday agreed to lift an eight-month state of emergency in Bangkok, citing an improved political climate and a less confrontational approach by anti-government "red shirt" protesters.
If the government foresees a resurgence of violence, it can turn to a less harsh security law, the Internal Security Act, which allows the authorities to impose such measures as curfews and bans on gatherings.
"The Cabinet evaluated the current situation and found that the movement by protesters is more peaceful, lawful and largely symbolic," said Supachai Jaisamut, a government spokesman.
The state of emergency was declared in Bangkok and surrounding provinces on April 7 after demonstrators occupying Bangkok's commercial heart broke into the grounds of parliament.
It was extended to other provinces, including many red shirt strongholds, in an effort to control the protest movement, which was finally put down by the military in May.
In all, 91 people died during the protests and more than 1,800 wounded in the country's worst political violence in modern times. The lifting of the decree in the last four provinces, including Bangkok, will be effective from today.
Protesters complained the decree violated human rights and accused the authorities of abusing it to stifle political opposition and free speech.
The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, a body set up to manage the state of emergency, had insisted the decree was necessary because the situation was volatile.
It granted security forces broad powers and allowed arrest, searches and surveillance without warrants, media censorship and detention without charge.
If the government foresees a resurgence of violence, it can turn to a less harsh security law, the Internal Security Act, which allows the authorities to impose such measures as curfews and bans on gatherings.
"The Cabinet evaluated the current situation and found that the movement by protesters is more peaceful, lawful and largely symbolic," said Supachai Jaisamut, a government spokesman.
The state of emergency was declared in Bangkok and surrounding provinces on April 7 after demonstrators occupying Bangkok's commercial heart broke into the grounds of parliament.
It was extended to other provinces, including many red shirt strongholds, in an effort to control the protest movement, which was finally put down by the military in May.
In all, 91 people died during the protests and more than 1,800 wounded in the country's worst political violence in modern times. The lifting of the decree in the last four provinces, including Bangkok, will be effective from today.
Protesters complained the decree violated human rights and accused the authorities of abusing it to stifle political opposition and free speech.
The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation, a body set up to manage the state of emergency, had insisted the decree was necessary because the situation was volatile.
It granted security forces broad powers and allowed arrest, searches and surveillance without warrants, media censorship and detention without charge.
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