ID :
55465
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 20:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/55465
The shortlink copeid
Thailand announces additional holidays after holiday violence
BANGKOK, April 14 (TNA) – The Thai government on Tuesday announced two additional national holidays for its citizens after the standoff between anti-government protesters and government security forces ended, at least temporarily, citing security concerns and time needed for the restoration of damaged facilities in its capital Bangkok.
Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the Prime Minister and acting government spokesman, said that the Cabinet agreed to Thursday and Friday as added holidays.
One week ago the Abhisit government declared Friday April 10 as an additional national holiday after anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) blocked one of Bangkok’s main intersectionz, paralysing traffic across the capital.
Thais usually celebrate their traditional NewYear or Songkran Water festival mid-April and the official nation holidays are between April 13 and 15.
The announcement has been made after the UDD protesters announced the end of their demonstrations following violent clashes with security forces, leaving at least 123 people injured.
Dr. Panitan said that the additional national holidays is intended to enable the authorities to restore law and order, as well as to rehabilitate buildings and facilities damaged during this week's protest clashes.
He added that state enterprises, financial institutions, private sectors, the Bank of Thailand and Ministry of Labour are allowed to consider whether to take the two-days off on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, Patareeya Benjapolchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), said Tuesday that the SET will operate as normal on Thursday and Friday after the Bank of Thailand (BoT) also advised commercial banks to open for normal services from Thursday. (TNA)
Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the Prime Minister and acting government spokesman, said that the Cabinet agreed to Thursday and Friday as added holidays.
One week ago the Abhisit government declared Friday April 10 as an additional national holiday after anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) blocked one of Bangkok’s main intersectionz, paralysing traffic across the capital.
Thais usually celebrate their traditional NewYear or Songkran Water festival mid-April and the official nation holidays are between April 13 and 15.
The announcement has been made after the UDD protesters announced the end of their demonstrations following violent clashes with security forces, leaving at least 123 people injured.
Dr. Panitan said that the additional national holidays is intended to enable the authorities to restore law and order, as well as to rehabilitate buildings and facilities damaged during this week's protest clashes.
He added that state enterprises, financial institutions, private sectors, the Bank of Thailand and Ministry of Labour are allowed to consider whether to take the two-days off on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, Patareeya Benjapolchai, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), said Tuesday that the SET will operate as normal on Thursday and Friday after the Bank of Thailand (BoT) also advised commercial banks to open for normal services from Thursday. (TNA)
