ID :
133399
Sun, 07/18/2010 - 15:51
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http://m.oananews.org//node/133399
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PM says emergency decree in some provinces may be lifted
BANGKOK, July 18 - Despite some anti-government movements in certain areas in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday the emergency decree now enforced in 19 provinces, including the capital, may be lifted by the Cabinet this week, affecting some provinces where security problems no longer exist.
In his weekly television and radio address, Mr Abhisit said the State of Emergency extended for another three months by the Cabinet earlier this month could be lifted when the Cabinet meets Tuesday as normalcy has returned in those places while the government’s reconciliation programme is also making headway.
The emergency decree has been enforced since April 7 as anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) were demonstrating in Bangkok and a number of provinces. The protest was crushed by a bloody military crackdown on May 19.
Mr Abhisit later told journalists that he could not yet identify which provinces could remain under the emergency decree after this week’s Cabinet meeting as concerned government agencies are assessing the overall situation, especially the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).
Asked if the planned lifting of the emergency decree in some provinces resulted from social pressure, Mr Abhisit explained he had said repeatedly it should be lifted as soon as possible but should be carried out cautiously, as unrest could occur and affect the country later.
The government will complete its term in office late next year, and if the public wants a general election sooner they should help restore peace in the country, Mr Abhisit said.
If anti-government movements want to use force in pressuring the government to organise an election, a majority of people would disagree, he added. (MCOT online news)
In his weekly television and radio address, Mr Abhisit said the State of Emergency extended for another three months by the Cabinet earlier this month could be lifted when the Cabinet meets Tuesday as normalcy has returned in those places while the government’s reconciliation programme is also making headway.
The emergency decree has been enforced since April 7 as anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) were demonstrating in Bangkok and a number of provinces. The protest was crushed by a bloody military crackdown on May 19.
Mr Abhisit later told journalists that he could not yet identify which provinces could remain under the emergency decree after this week’s Cabinet meeting as concerned government agencies are assessing the overall situation, especially the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES).
Asked if the planned lifting of the emergency decree in some provinces resulted from social pressure, Mr Abhisit explained he had said repeatedly it should be lifted as soon as possible but should be carried out cautiously, as unrest could occur and affect the country later.
The government will complete its term in office late next year, and if the public wants a general election sooner they should help restore peace in the country, Mr Abhisit said.
If anti-government movements want to use force in pressuring the government to organise an election, a majority of people would disagree, he added. (MCOT online news)
