PM Abhisit Signs Order Canceling Emergency Decree In 3 Thai Provinces

[webfact]

PM Signs Order Canceling Emergency Decree in 3 Provinces

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has signed an order, canceling the emergency decree in three provinces, namely Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Ubon Ratchathani.

-- Tan Network 2010-08-16

[webfact]

Thailand ends emergency rule in three provinces, not Bangkok

BANGKOK (AFP) -- The Thai government said Monday it was lifting a state of emergency in three more provinces, but not Bangkok, almost three months after the end of deadly opposition protests in the capital.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva revoked the decree in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani in north and northeast Thailand, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

The strict laws, which ban public gatherings of more than five people and give security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge, remain in place in seven out of Thailand's 76 provinces.

They were introduced in Bangkok on April 7 in response to mass anti-government protests by the "Red Shirt" movement that left at least 90 people dead and 1,900 injured, ending in a bloody army crackdown in May.

The government has come under pressure from the United States and rights groups to end emergency rule to help the country recover from the civil unrest, which has left it deeply divided.

After the May crackdown, Red Shirt leaders asked their thousands of supporters to disperse, but enraged protesters set fire to dozens of buildings, including a shopping mall and the stock exchange.

Authorities have used the emergency powers to arrest hundreds of Red Shirt suspects and silence anti-government media.

At one point about one-third of the country was under emergency rule.

Deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters earlier in the day that it was necessary to end the decree in the three provinces because it was having a negative impact on business and tourism.

The government has said the laws are still needed in the capital following two small bomb blasts in central Bangkok last month, including one that killed a man.

The Reds, many of whom support fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, view the current government as elitist and undemocratic because it came to power after a court ruling threw out the previous administration.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-08-16

[webfact]

PM lifts emergency in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Monday issued an order to lift the state of emergency in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani.

The PM's order took immediate effect.

National Security Council Thawil Pliensri quoted the prime minister as informing the Cabinet during the weekly meeting that he had signed the order to lift the state of emergency in the three provinces as proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

-- The Nation 2010-08-16

[scotbeve]

[Thighlander]

Great news. Glad I just bought an AirAsia ticket for 1003 thb.

[Lizard2010]

What great news just what the area need :D :clap2::partytime2:

[webfact]

PM lifts emergency decree in 3 provinces; continues in capital, nearby

BANGKOK: -- 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)

-- TNA 2010-08-16

[sirchai]

Great news. Glad I just bought an AirAsia ticket for 1003 thb.

Is there any news about Sisaket?

[Xonax]

I hope that they will soon get the bib in Bangkok replaced, so that they can risk to lift the emergency decree here as well.

With the current bib in place, the same thing will just happen all over again next time the red bandits gather here.

[SamritT]

Funny, when they don't want to lift SOE, bomb appears. When they lift SOE, no bomb.

[asiawatcher]

Funny, when they don't want to lift SOE, bomb appears. When they lift SOE, no bomb.

Ssshhhhh... don't give them ideas!

[TheBarbarian]

Hypocrites enough in this government. The only emergency decree that should be imposed is on the government and ALL Thai politicians and army generals who are stealing the country blind as we are speaking. Lifting an state of emergency is a big joke when the newspapers write anyhow what the ruling elite wants them to write. When the news on TV is no longer credible and when all internet sites which give decent information have been blocked. 

[chantorn]

Hypocrites enough in this government. The only emergency decree that should be imposed is on the government and ALL Thai politicians and army generals who are stealing the country blind as we are speaking. Lifting an state of emergency is a big joke when the newspapers write anyhow what the ruling elite wants them to write. When the news on TV is no longer credible and when all internet sites which give decent information have been blocked. 

"and ALL Thai politicians and army generals who are stealing the country blind as we are speaking."? I hope you have proof.

[Buchholz]

when all internet sites which give decent information have been blocked.

Are you saying this site is indecent?

[scotbeve]

Barb,

"and ALL Thai politicians and army generals who are stealing the country blind as we are speaking."? I hope you have proof. "

Simple mathematics (re:USD 7,000.00 rifles) can be ample proof here, as well as: bomb scanners with no electronics inside, aircraft carriers that stay in port (with downed Harriers onboard), submarine purchases attempts, airships that don't do the job / should not have been ordered, and more.... And that's just the military..... BIB driving around in Benzes, etc., etc.

[ableguy]

Hypocrites enough in this government. The only emergency decree that should be imposed is on the government and ALL Thai politicians and army generals who are stealing the country blind as we are speaking. Lifting an state of emergency is a big joke when the newspapers write anyhow what the ruling elite wants them to write. When the news on TV is no longer credible and when all internet sites which give decent information have been blocked. 

"and ALL Thai politicians and army generals who are stealing the country blind as we are speaking."? I hope you have proof.

Its called commomb knowledge

[Piengrudee]

Gerat job Mark. That is why we all vote for you.