CRES agrees to lift emergency decree

BANGKOK,Dec9(TNA)-The government's Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) resolved on Thursday (Dec9) that the emergency decree be lifted in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

CRES Spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that CRES has assigned the National Security Council (NSC) to raise the recommendation before the Cabinet at its meeting next week, noting that the decision was based on the fact that the national situation has mostly returned to normal.

The CRES spokesman revealed that after the emergency decree is lifted, a peace-keeping plan worked out by the Internal Security Operations Command or ISOC would be implemented to maintain social order, and that the Internal Security Act or ISC would then be imposed if there was any fresh unrest in any area where the state of emergency was revoked.

Colonel Sansern said, however, that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would make the final decision whether the emergency should be lifted as recommended. But the prime minister earlier said it is possible that the special law will be lifted in the remaining areas as a New Year gift to the public.

The tough law has remained in place in the capital, as well as Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan Provinces so far.(TNA)