Thai Govt Prepares To Lift Emergency Decree In Three Southern Provinces

Govt Eyes Emergency Decree Repeal in South

The government is preparing to lift the state of emergency in the three southern border provinces by starting with Pattani's Mae Lan district.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva revealed that he met with national security related agencies this morning to discuss the plan to revoke the Emergency Decree enactment in the three southernmost provinces.

The premier said the government is planning to lift the emergency rule in the restive South, beginning with Mae Lan dsitrict in Pattani province and enforce the Internal Security Act instead, which is similar to what the government did in the four districts of Songkhla province.

The prime minister went on to say the decree revocation plan came after security related agencies evaluated that the situation in Mae Lan district has begun to ease.

Commenting on acting red-shirt chairperson Thida Thawornset's plan to request bail for the detained red-shirt leaders, the prime minister said that Thida has the right to do so and the decision is entirely up to the court.

Asked about possible bail objection, Abhisit said it is up to state prosecutors and the Department of Special Investigation to consider whether the red-shirt members are likely to cause further chaos in the country after their release.

The prime minister is confident that the court will consider granting bail for the jailed red-shirt leaders individually.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-23