ID :
124213
Tue, 05/25/2010 - 15:46
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http://m.oananews.org//node/124213
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Curfew extended 4 more nights in Bangkok, 23 provinces
BANGKOK, May 25 (TNA) – The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday extended curfew in Bangkok and 23 other provinces by four more nights, but relaxed the timeframe to facilitate the daily life of the public.
The Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situtation (CRES) asked the Cabinet to extend the curfew for seven more nights (May 25-31), saying intelligence confirmed there are still attempt to cause chaos in certain areas.
The Cabinet however extended curfew for only four more nights (May 25-28), banning the public from leaving home between midnight and 4am, saying an evaluation of the situation is needed for any further extension.
CRES director Suthep Thaugsuban, also deputy prime minister overseeing national security, said before the Cabinet meeting that the centre has considered all aspects of the curfew extension, in particular the affect on daily life and business, and agreed to maintain the curfew.
Mr Suthep said there are still problems in some areas in Bangkok and provinces in the North and Northeast given that the Minister of Social Development and Human Security could still not carry out his mission in some parts of Bangkok, especially in the Bon Kai area, in which the anti-government movement is still active.
The CRES director said he believes the more relaxed timeline of the curfew will not affect the daily life of people upcountry or at least have less affect on them, but some relaxation may be allowed on a case by case basis in some parts of Bangkok.
Once the curfew is revoked, a combined force of police and soldiers will be assigned to protect the property of the general public and state, he said.
CRES imposed a curfew in the Thai capital and 23 other provinces on May 19 after key places were set afire by disgruntled Red Shirt protesters following the surrender of their leaders and the end of the group’s rally at Ratchaprasong intersection.
Regarding rumours over the death of some key Red Shirt leaders who have not yet surrendered to police, Mr Suthep commented that such a rumour is a tactic frequently used by the protest leaders.
Most Red Shirt leaders surrendered to police as troops approached the group’s rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection last week, except Arisman Pongruangrong and Suporn Attawong.
Mr Arisman was reportedly arrested, but some said he escaped to a neighbouring country, others said he was killed.
The CRES director added that some 30 armed Red Shirt allies have been detained and questioned. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and concerned agencies are now investigating whether these detainees involved with a series of M79 grenade attacks on security officials.
Meanwhile, Permanent-Secretary for Interior Manit Wattanasen signed an urgent order to transfer governors in four northeastern provinces of Mukdaharn, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani to inactive posts at the ministry, according to deputy government spokesman Supachai Chaisamut.
The transfer came in the wake of arson at provincial halls by Red Shirt supporters last week. (TNA)
The Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situtation (CRES) asked the Cabinet to extend the curfew for seven more nights (May 25-31), saying intelligence confirmed there are still attempt to cause chaos in certain areas.
The Cabinet however extended curfew for only four more nights (May 25-28), banning the public from leaving home between midnight and 4am, saying an evaluation of the situation is needed for any further extension.
CRES director Suthep Thaugsuban, also deputy prime minister overseeing national security, said before the Cabinet meeting that the centre has considered all aspects of the curfew extension, in particular the affect on daily life and business, and agreed to maintain the curfew.
Mr Suthep said there are still problems in some areas in Bangkok and provinces in the North and Northeast given that the Minister of Social Development and Human Security could still not carry out his mission in some parts of Bangkok, especially in the Bon Kai area, in which the anti-government movement is still active.
The CRES director said he believes the more relaxed timeline of the curfew will not affect the daily life of people upcountry or at least have less affect on them, but some relaxation may be allowed on a case by case basis in some parts of Bangkok.
Once the curfew is revoked, a combined force of police and soldiers will be assigned to protect the property of the general public and state, he said.
CRES imposed a curfew in the Thai capital and 23 other provinces on May 19 after key places were set afire by disgruntled Red Shirt protesters following the surrender of their leaders and the end of the group’s rally at Ratchaprasong intersection.
Regarding rumours over the death of some key Red Shirt leaders who have not yet surrendered to police, Mr Suthep commented that such a rumour is a tactic frequently used by the protest leaders.
Most Red Shirt leaders surrendered to police as troops approached the group’s rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection last week, except Arisman Pongruangrong and Suporn Attawong.
Mr Arisman was reportedly arrested, but some said he escaped to a neighbouring country, others said he was killed.
The CRES director added that some 30 armed Red Shirt allies have been detained and questioned. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and concerned agencies are now investigating whether these detainees involved with a series of M79 grenade attacks on security officials.
Meanwhile, Permanent-Secretary for Interior Manit Wattanasen signed an urgent order to transfer governors in four northeastern provinces of Mukdaharn, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani to inactive posts at the ministry, according to deputy government spokesman Supachai Chaisamut.
The transfer came in the wake of arson at provincial halls by Red Shirt supporters last week. (TNA)
