ID :
137800
Mon, 08/16/2010 - 12:44
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http://m.oananews.org//node/137800
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PM lifts emergency decree in 3 provinces; continues in capital, nearby
BANGKOK, Aug 16 - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday lifted the Emergency Decree in three more provinces still considered strongholds of the anti-government movement, but said the security law will continue in the capital and key northeastern provinces where it is still needed.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the lifting of the emergency decree takes effect today.
The state of emergency now remains in place in 7 provinces --Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Samut Prakan and
Bangkok.
The premier acted after Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, as director of the Centre for the Resolution and the Emergency Situation (CRES), said he would ask the cabinet to revoke the state of emergency in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani.
Mr Abhisit said earlier that the decree will continue in force in Bangkok, its surrounding areas and some key northeastern provinces as anti-government movements are still active there.
The state of emergency was imposed in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces since early April 7, followed by its being applied in the northern and northeastern provinces, to maintain law and order after the 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrations in some areas turned into violent.
The special security law bans political gatherings of over five people and gives the right to the authorities to detain suspects without charge for 30 days.
The ten-week protest ended following the army operation to retake the protest site in Ratchaprasong intersection on May 19 involving street clashes between the protesters and security forces. Eighty-nine people died and nearly 1,900 were injured during the violence from April 2 through May 19.
The decree however was later revoked in 14 provinces as normalcy was restored in some areas, but applied in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Bangkok.
Deputy prime minister Suthep said before the cabinet meeting that security-concerned agencies regularly assess the situation and some officials still have reservations on the issue as situation some provinces remains of concern.
Mr Suthep said the prime minister wanted the state of emergency to be lifted as soon as possible and chose to lift the measure in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani are the top priorities as the security enforcement there has a negative impact on businesses and the tourism industry.
The CRES director said the security agencies conclusions regarding the measure were given to the prime minister in his consideration of lifting the decree today.
Tawin Pleansri, secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), said he agreed with Mr Suthep's proposal to lift the security decree in the three provinces, while conceding that security officials still have to be cautious over possible acts of violence or disruption.
Mr Tawin expressed confidence that th authorities can control the situation in Chiang Mai, recently targeted in the unrest, although the emergency decree will be lifted there.
Last week, a bomb squad defused a bomb near a police box in Chiang Mai's San Pa Ton district. Few days later a suspicious box was left at an intersection near Chiang Mai International Airport but it was just an empty box, aimed at creating tension.
The NSC secretary-general added that intelligence reports said underground movements are still active in some provinces, but there is no confirmed report of violence in the near future. (MCOT online news)
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the lifting of the emergency decree takes effect today.
The state of emergency now remains in place in 7 provinces --Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Samut Prakan and
Bangkok.
The premier acted after Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, as director of the Centre for the Resolution and the Emergency Situation (CRES), said he would ask the cabinet to revoke the state of emergency in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani.
Mr Abhisit said earlier that the decree will continue in force in Bangkok, its surrounding areas and some key northeastern provinces as anti-government movements are still active there.
The state of emergency was imposed in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces since early April 7, followed by its being applied in the northern and northeastern provinces, to maintain law and order after the 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrations in some areas turned into violent.
The special security law bans political gatherings of over five people and gives the right to the authorities to detain suspects without charge for 30 days.
The ten-week protest ended following the army operation to retake the protest site in Ratchaprasong intersection on May 19 involving street clashes between the protesters and security forces. Eighty-nine people died and nearly 1,900 were injured during the violence from April 2 through May 19.
The decree however was later revoked in 14 provinces as normalcy was restored in some areas, but applied in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Bangkok.
Deputy prime minister Suthep said before the cabinet meeting that security-concerned agencies regularly assess the situation and some officials still have reservations on the issue as situation some provinces remains of concern.
Mr Suthep said the prime minister wanted the state of emergency to be lifted as soon as possible and chose to lift the measure in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani are the top priorities as the security enforcement there has a negative impact on businesses and the tourism industry.
The CRES director said the security agencies conclusions regarding the measure were given to the prime minister in his consideration of lifting the decree today.
Tawin Pleansri, secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC), said he agreed with Mr Suthep's proposal to lift the security decree in the three provinces, while conceding that security officials still have to be cautious over possible acts of violence or disruption.
Mr Tawin expressed confidence that th authorities can control the situation in Chiang Mai, recently targeted in the unrest, although the emergency decree will be lifted there.
Last week, a bomb squad defused a bomb near a police box in Chiang Mai's San Pa Ton district. Few days later a suspicious box was left at an intersection near Chiang Mai International Airport but it was just an empty box, aimed at creating tension.
The NSC secretary-general added that intelligence reports said underground movements are still active in some provinces, but there is no confirmed report of violence in the near future. (MCOT online news)
