Thailand likely to end emergency rule in six areas: minister

BANGKOK (AFP) -- The Thai government is likely to lift emergency rule in six more provinces, but not Bangkok, because of easing concerns about possible political unrest, the defence minister said Thursday.

Prawit Wongsuwon said the strict laws were expected to be revoked in Chonburi, Ayutthaya, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan and Chaiyaphum in central and northeast Thailand on the advice of security officials.

"I expect the prime minister will agree to lift the state of emergency in those six provinces because all security officials reached a consensus," Prawit told AFP.

"All of the state security agencies ... said there is little political movement in these provinces," he said.

Last week Thailand ended emergency rule in three provinces.

But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva said Tuesday that the authorities would maintain emergency rule in the capital following a bomb attack at a bus stop in Bangkok over the weekend that killed one person and wounded 10.

The government has come under pressure from the United States and rights groups to end a state of emergency still in place across 16 provinces, or about one-fifth of the country.

Authorities have used the powers -- introduced in Bangkok on April 7 -- to arrest hundreds of Red Shirt suspects and silence anti-government media.

The protests by the Reds, many of whom back fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, attracted up to 100,000 people demanding immediate elections.

About 90 people died and some 1,900 were injured in a series of street clashes between armed troops and demonstrators.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-29

Sad news for the good people.

One more small step in the right direction.

topic continues here:

PM Cancels Emergency Decree in 6 More Provinces