Thailand imposes state of emergency to deal with protests

[Lite Beer]

Protest-hit Thailand imposes emergency rule

by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK, January 21, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand on Tuesday declared a 60-day state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas to tackle mass street protests aimed at overthrowing the government.

The move follows weeks of rallies that have paralysed parts of the capital and sparked several bouts of deadly violence, including grenade attacks and shootings.

"The cabinet decided to invoke the emergency decree to take care of the situation and to enforce the law," said Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, noting that protesters had prevented officials from going to work.

The decree will come into force from Wednesday.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is under intense pressure from demonstrators, backed by the royalist establishment, to step down after more than two months of street protests aimed at ousting her government and installing an unelected "people's council".

It was not immediately clear how the government would implement the decree, which enables authorities to ban public gatherings of more than five people and detain suspects for 30 days without charge.

Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who will oversee its implementation, said Thailand would abide by international standards.

"We will not use force. We have no policy to disperse them (the protesters) and we haven't announced a curfew yet," he said.

National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut said there were already enough police and soldiers deployed to deal with the demonstrations.

He said the decree could be used to ban protest marches.
Yingluck has called an election for February 2 but the main opposition party is boycotting the vote.

The protesters are trying to disrupt the polls and have prevented candidates from registering in some southern constituencies.

The demonstrators have staged a self-styled "shutdown" of Bangkok since January 13, erecting roadblocks and rally stages at several main intersections, although their number has steadily fallen since the middle of last week.

Dozens of people were wounded and one killed in grenade attacks by unknown assailants on opposition rallies on Friday and Sunday.

The incidents, which each side has blamed on the other, heightened fears of growing unrest before next month's election.

The kingdom has been periodically rocked by political bloodshed since Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck's older brother, was overthrown by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago.

The latest protests were triggered by a failed amnesty bill that could have allowed Thaksin to return without going to jail for a past corruption conviction.

The demonstrators accuse the billionaire telecoms tycoon-turned-politician of controlling his sister's government from his base in Dubai.

Thaksin has strong electoral support in northern Thailand, but he is reviled by many southerners, Bangkok's middle class and members of the royalist establishment.

The emergency decree was imposed in Bangkok in 2010 when two months of mass rallies by the pro-Thaksin Red Shirts sparked violence that left more than 90 people dead and nearly 1,900 injured, ending in a bloody army crackdown.

The military, traditionally a staunch supporter of the anti-Thaksin establishment, has shown signs of reluctance to play a significant role in handling the current protests, saying it wants to remain neutral.

But the army chief has also refused to rule out another coup.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-01-21

[moonao]

Good timing. Suthep has run out of moves.

The goverment has handled these "protesters" (terrorists would be a more accurate description) extremely well so far.

[Lite Beer]

State of emergency announced
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The caretaker Cabinet announced the state of emergency for Bangkok and some parts of nearby provinces, which will last 60 days.

The state of emergency was announced on TV by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung. It will take effect on Wednesday.

Chalerm said the government had to invoke the emergency decree to announce the state of emergency because the protests by the People's Democratic Reform Committee had turned violent.

He said the demonstrations were not peaceful as PDRC leaders said.

National Security Council Secretary-General Paradorn Pattanatabut said the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order would be changed to the Peacekeeping Centre.

The new Peacekeeping Centre would be chaired by the police commissioner-general, Paradorn said.

Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told the press conference that he had been assigned by the Cabinet to supervise the Royal Thai Police.

-- The Nation 2014-01-21

[marcusd]

Its on! Now one police baton will cause real conflict

Sent from my RM-892_apac_laos_thailand_219 using Tapatalk

[seajae]

what a joke this govt is, they cannot handle the fact they are on their last legs and after declaring that they will not invoke this unless there is more violence they do it. This once again shows how pathetic the ptp are, they have no idea what to do and are reaching for straws. Lets see how long yl and the capo people can keep their hands clean from the blood, they are now responsible for any deaths.

Edited January 21, 2014 by seajae

[Nowhereman60]

^{Let the games begin.}

[i claudius]

what a joke this govt is, they cannot handle the fact they are on their last legs and after declaring that they will not invoke this unless their is more violence they do it. This once again shows how pathetic the ptp are, they have no idea what to do and are reaching for straws. Lets see how long yl and the capo people can keep their hands clean from the blood, they are now responsible for any deaths.

if they are on their last legs ,why do the protestors not let the country vote?

[Jip99]

Good timing. Suthep has run out of moves.

The goverment has handled these "protesters" (terrorists would be a more accurate description) extremely well so far.

You may wish to re-visit the definition of "terrorist" and try again...........

[haroldc]

The kleptocracy's last desperate move. The protests were not peaceful? The government's problem is that the protests are succeeding. Despicable...

[Woody1]

Can anyone answer the following, which nearby provinces are to be affected, and what exactly does the state of emergency consist off in terms of curfews, etc?

[Spalpeen]

Checkmate! Time to clean the streets and bring Suthep to justice.

[Rob8891]

^{Let the games begin.}

Another post that must have taken you an age to think up......and still not productive in any way.

[tim armstrong]

So sad, and up to now relatively peaceful considering the size of the crowds. But RIP to those who have lost someone. This is a dumb move, and more violence is now inevitable.

[Nowhereman60]

Suthep boiler room gang is going to be working overtime tonight.

[winstonc]

Good timing. Suthep has run out of moves.

The goverment has handled these "protesters" (terrorists would be a more accurate description) extremely well so far.

just phoned the wife and told her you said she was a terrorist for peacefully protesting ... ans...loud laughter,and then how old is he......

[ripstanley]

It will be interesting to see how the military react to this.

[fma]

I wonder if this will make any difference. The 'protesters' have done whatever they wanted so far. Will the police grow a pair now? I don't think so.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Skywalker69]

^{Let the games begin.}

So this is not but a game for you? Guess you don´t live here? Shame on you!!!

[AleG]

The protesters have turned violent? So now being the recipient of deadly violence is being violent. Surapong is shameless.

[esprit]

The protesters have turned violent? So now being the recipient of deadly violence is being violent. Surapong is shameless.

[esprit]

Agreed. Now hopefully the streets can be cleaned of these dregs. Water cannon not bullets hopefully.

[Basil B]

Chalerm said the government had to invoke the emergency decree to announce the state of emergency because the protests by the People's Democratic Reform Committee had turned violent.

​As pointed the events have been quite peaceful considering the numbers protesting, maybe they should be catching the fugs with the M26 firecrackers, what are the scared of? probably the rice farmers who would like to invite a few government ministers to a lynching.

Edited January 21, 2014 by Basil B

[jayjay49]

Wise. This anarchy has to end. Parties should sit at the negotiating table!!

[rebelplatoon]

Good timing. Suthep has run out of moves.

The goverment has handled these "protesters" (terrorists would be a more accurate description) extremely well so far.

I would LOVE to respect your vote.... 11 Million People voted for the Democrats last time. 13 Million for the TRT. Why is it that the difference in Parliament is not 13% ???! Because the Shin clan “Seng Sae Ku” (เส็ง แซ่คู) of Chinese descend changed the constituencies before the elections. Hence if you would respect MY VOTE the difference in seats in parliament would only be 23 seats. A great base to start another Government, wouldn't you say?

[ggold]

Is this a precursor to the military coming out? Having a hard time deciding if it is, who's side will they be on?

[EricBerg]

Silly to declare the state of emergency. Why Wednesday and not now? Why at all? And shouldn't it be the PM to declare it and not Chalerm? Probably the missunderstood fugitive instructed it all. Now see how the new CAPO will (not) behave. They are renamed the Peacekeeping Center. Will see if that name is correct.

[Baerboxer]

Checkmate! Time to clean the streets and bring Suthep to justice.

And to see all the charges of corruption against this regime fairly tried, and maybe extradite a well known fugitive too. Justice for all (or will they simply ram the amnesty bill through and whitewash him?).

Checkmate - I doubt it. All depends on what the army decide now, Thaksin has played his last card and his calling their hand.

[unanimosity]

The kleptocracy's last desperate move. The protests were not peaceful? The government's problem is that the protests are succeeding. Despicable...

What movie are you watching? Unless of course, the goal is handing cash to Stuphet in which case he may be succeeding.

[Baerboxer]

Silly to declare the state of emergency. Why Wednesday and not now? Why at all? And shouldn't it be the PM to declare it and not Chalerm? Probably the missunderstood fugitive instructed it all. Now see how the new CAPO will (not) behave. They are renamed the Peacekeeping Center. Will see if that name is correct.

It's their only option. They can't force any loans to pay off the farmers, who've stopped believing their lies. They have to gamble the army will still avoid a coup and therefore they buy more time. Get the election "sorted" then back to the agenda.

My Thai friends are genuinely seething at this. They all now see the long term aims of the clan and want them out. This is going to get very nasty.

Has Chalerm been promoted back to caretaker DPM or is that a reporting error?

If you're looking for a fall guy.......................

Trusted cousin and friend representing the power now, puppet on ice by the look of it.

[Alwyn]

Good timing. Suthep has run out of moves.

The goverment has handled these "protesters" (terrorists would be a more accurate description) extremely well so far.

You may wish to re-visit the definition of "terrorist" and try again...........

Yup, terrorist is a harsh word, most people believed and wished for peaceful protests. Nobody knows who is to blame for the bombs etc (except the ones that did it I guess) My guees would be neither side but more likely to be insurgents from the south taking advantage of a weaked situation but then again, I don't know either!