ID :
123757
Sun, 05/23/2010 - 20:01
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http://m.oananews.org//node/123757
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Deputy PM Suthep: Curfew may be lifted soon
BANGKOK, May 23 (TNA) - Thailand's Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) on Sunday lifted the banning of the use of key roads in the capital as the situation returns to normalcy, while saying curfew imposed in the Bangkok and 23 other provinces may be revoked sooner than the Emergency Decree which needs more evaluation of the situation.
The CRES announced the reopening of five major roads around Ratchaprasong area, including Petchaburi Road, Phayathai Road, Wireless Road, Rama IV Road and Ratchaprarob Road, effective Monday at 4am.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as CRES director, said the curfew imposed in Bangkok and 23 provinces may be revoked soon, while the Emergency Decree will remain in force for the time being with a further review of the situation at time.
The CRES on Sunday extended curfew for two more nights (Sunday and Monday) banning people from leaving their homes between 11pm and 4am.
The curfew has been invoked since May 19 when arson and grenade attacks occurred in the capital following the anger of anti-government Red Shirt protesters that their leaders surrendered to police and announced the end of the group's protest in Bangkok's prime commercial area.
CRES has imposed a state of emergency in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces early April to maintain law and order during the Red Shirts' violent protest, followed by the declaration of a severe emergency situation in provinces in the North and Northeast, major strongholds of the Red Shirt movement.
Mr Suthep said the lifting of the emergency decree still must be considered carefully depending upon how the situation eases and at what level, and how the moves of the anti-government group unfold.
A possible curfew lifting will be discussed Tuesday, said Mr Suthep, adding the government understands that the private sector is now being affected by the curfew, but the curfew helps facilitate the work of the authorities to ensure public safety.
The curfew may be revoked sooner, excepting the Emergency Decree, as the authorities must continue to evaluate the situation before deciding, he said.
Mr Suthep added that CRES, situated at the 11th Infantry Regiment, will move to the Royal Thai Army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue as he and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will return to work at Government House, not far from the army headquarters.
The deputy prime minister urged so-called "underground groups" to stop thinking of launching clandestine movements, saying he believes the public cannot accept it as such a move will damage to the country and the public.
The CRES director declined to specify when the situation will be stabilised, saying the government is doing its utmost to return normalcy to the country and what the government must do is to press ahead with the reconciliation road map earlier proposed by the premier.
Regarding the new polling date, Mr Suthep said the negotiation process with Red Shirt leaders ended inconclusively after the protest leaders rejected the premier's proposal of the November 14 polling date, therefore it depends on the prime minister to consider the issue of a House dissolution. (TNA)
The CRES announced the reopening of five major roads around Ratchaprasong area, including Petchaburi Road, Phayathai Road, Wireless Road, Rama IV Road and Ratchaprarob Road, effective Monday at 4am.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as CRES director, said the curfew imposed in Bangkok and 23 provinces may be revoked soon, while the Emergency Decree will remain in force for the time being with a further review of the situation at time.
The CRES on Sunday extended curfew for two more nights (Sunday and Monday) banning people from leaving their homes between 11pm and 4am.
The curfew has been invoked since May 19 when arson and grenade attacks occurred in the capital following the anger of anti-government Red Shirt protesters that their leaders surrendered to police and announced the end of the group's protest in Bangkok's prime commercial area.
CRES has imposed a state of emergency in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces early April to maintain law and order during the Red Shirts' violent protest, followed by the declaration of a severe emergency situation in provinces in the North and Northeast, major strongholds of the Red Shirt movement.
Mr Suthep said the lifting of the emergency decree still must be considered carefully depending upon how the situation eases and at what level, and how the moves of the anti-government group unfold.
A possible curfew lifting will be discussed Tuesday, said Mr Suthep, adding the government understands that the private sector is now being affected by the curfew, but the curfew helps facilitate the work of the authorities to ensure public safety.
The curfew may be revoked sooner, excepting the Emergency Decree, as the authorities must continue to evaluate the situation before deciding, he said.
Mr Suthep added that CRES, situated at the 11th Infantry Regiment, will move to the Royal Thai Army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue as he and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will return to work at Government House, not far from the army headquarters.
The deputy prime minister urged so-called "underground groups" to stop thinking of launching clandestine movements, saying he believes the public cannot accept it as such a move will damage to the country and the public.
The CRES director declined to specify when the situation will be stabilised, saying the government is doing its utmost to return normalcy to the country and what the government must do is to press ahead with the reconciliation road map earlier proposed by the premier.
Regarding the new polling date, Mr Suthep said the negotiation process with Red Shirt leaders ended inconclusively after the protest leaders rejected the premier's proposal of the November 14 polling date, therefore it depends on the prime minister to consider the issue of a House dissolution. (TNA)
