Thai Cabinet lifts state of emergency

[webfact]

Cabinet lifts state of emergency

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet Tuesday resolved to lift the state of emergency.

The state of emergency will expire on Wednesday, following the Cabinet's resolution.


-- The Nation 2014-03-18

[Costas2008]

Was it there before?

Never noticed it, except from what I heard, about Chalerm, trying to catch the Yellow protesters with 20,000 policemen.

Did he ever succeed?

Anyway, now the tourists will be pouring into BKK.

[thesetat2013]

Sounds great! But is it really? Once this SOE is cancelled YL can issue a new SOE and the rulings abolishing actions against the protesters will become null and void and would not be applied to the new SOE. If they dont have another SOE chalerm and YL have stated they will use the ISA? Internal security act. So is this the lesser of 2 evils?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[webfact]

Thailand to end state of emergency as protests ease

BANGKOK, March 18, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand will lift a nearly two-month-old state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas following an easing of political protests in the capital, a senior official said Tuesday.

The use of emergency rule dealt a heavy blow to Thailand's key tourism industry during what is usually peak season, and also raised fears of a drop in foreign investment.

The state of emergency will be replaced by another special law, the Internal Security Act, with effect from Wednesday until April 30, the prime minister's secretary-general, Suranand Vejjajiva, told AFP.

"There are two reasons: first the protest situation has eased as protesters are now rallying at only one site. And the second is to improve the climate for business, especially the tourism sector," he said.

He said the decision had been approved by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Yingluck has faced months of street protests aimed at ousting her elected government and installing an unelected "people's council" to oversee reforms.

Political violence, often targeting protesters, has left 23 people dead and hundreds wounded in recent months.

However, attendance at the demonstrations has fallen sharply in recent weeks.

The demonstrators late last month scaled back their rallies, consolidating at one site in Bangkok's Lumpini Park as they ended their so-called "Bangkok shutdown", which had seen them occupy key intersections in the city.

The authorities were unable to use the security powers offered by the state of emergency in any case, after a Civil Court last month ordered the government not to use regulations issued under the decree.

Yingluck's government has suffered a series of legal defeats by the courts, which have been accused by government supporters of colluding with the opposition to try to oust the premier.

Yingluck also faces negligence charges that could lead to her ousting, linked to a flagship rice farm subsidy scheme that her critics say is riddled with corruption.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-03-18

[MikeOboe57]

Does that mean that the 5- star catering will come to an end?

Sent from my GT-N5100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Scamper]

The former Yingluck administration did not want to do this, and had been resisting as recently as last week. But they have yielded to public sentiment nonetheless. The Civil Court - like the Constitutional Court and the Criminal Court before it - had deemed the protest constitutional. That pretty much took the wind out of Chalerm's, Tarit's, Surapong's, Thaksin's sails. The irony is that if Ko Tee's calls for secession, plundering the national banks, and going after the independent agencies - really came to fruition - Surapong really would have an emergency on his hands.

[HonestQuietBob]

The former Yingluck administration did not want to do this, and had been resisting as recently as last week. But they have yielded to public sentiment nonetheless. The Civil Court - like the Constitutional Court and the Criminal Court before it - had deemed the protest constitutional. That pretty much took the wind out of Chalerm's, Tarit's, Surapong's, Thaksin's sails. The irony is that if Ko Tee's calls for secession, plundering the national banks, and going after the independent agencies - really came to fruition - Surapong really would have an emergency on his hands.

Or,

PTP have seen off the coup, the yellow beast has been slain and all is as it should be.

Bring on Songkran.

[MunterHunter]

Or,

PTP have seen off the coup, the yellow beast has been slain and all is as it should be.

Bring on Songkran.

Yep, all is as it should be...

Yingluck is about to get charged by the courts for her involvement in the Rice scam and kicked out of office

PTP are about to get hammered by the courts for their involvement in voting fraud in parliment

Tarit is about to get exposed as corrupt with 'unusual wealth'

The Failed Election is about to get declared null and void

Plus a bunch of other cases aimed at the corrupt government...

... tis a good day to be alive, isn't it?

Oh that reminds me, there's some murder charges coming the way of Yingluck and Chalerm...

... Definitely a good day to be alive!

[rosswalkington]

Or,

well said Munterhunter

PTP have seen off the coup, the yellow beast has been slain and all is as it should be.

Bring on Songkran.

Yep, all is as it should be...

Yingluck is about to get charged by the courts for her involvement in the Rice scam and kicked out of office

PTP are about to get hammered by the courts for their involvement in voting fraud in parliment

Tarit is about to get exposed as corrupt with 'unusual wealth'

The Failed Election is about to get declared null and void

Plus a bunch of other cases aimed at the corrupt government...

... tis a good day to be alive, isn't it?

Oh that reminds me, there's some murder charges coming the way of Yingluck and Chalerm...

... Definitely a good day to be alive!

[Robby nz]

4 days before it was due to expire anyway.

This is just another PT, Chalerm publicity stunt to make it look like they actually have achieved something with their abortion of an SOE.

So what has it achieved ?

Well it has cost the country billions and several lives including those of police, it has caused many countries to issue travel warnings against the country and put of an uncountable number of tourists who would not come because their travel insurance did not cover them in a country under a state of emergency.

It has not been able to stop the attacks against the protesters, indeed if anything they increased, until the army moved in, and even then the bombings and shootings moved out from the main stage areas to what must have been perceived as softer targets.

It has not helped to catch a single shooter, grenade thrower or bomber who attacked the protesters.

But there is a 5 star hotel that has done very well out of providing meals so they will be happy.

[rosswalkington]

Well said Munterhunter

[webfact]

NSC Secretary General confident ISA will be able to control protesters

BANGKOK 18 March 2014 (NNT) — NSC Secretary General Lieutenant General Paradon Patanatabutr is confident that the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be able to control the ongoing protesters.

Lt. Gen. Paradon, in his capacity as Secretary of the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), expressed his confidence that it would be easier under the ISA to apprehend protest core leaders wanted under arrest warrants — adding that the government has no plan at the moment to expand the areas covered by the ISA.

Lt. Gen. Paradon said he would propose in the Cabinet meeting today that it revoke the current Emergency Decree and revert to using the ISA, as it would be more effective in apprehending the core leaders of the protests.

Concerning the areas to be covered under the ISA, Lt. Gen. Paradon stated that they would consist of locations already under the current Emergency Decree, and that no other areas would be added.

The CMPO Secretary added that police have not disregarded the case of separatism in the country, and have been working hard investigating the case.


-- NNT 2014-03-18

[fab4]

The former Yingluck administration did not want to do this, and had been resisting as recently as last week. But they have yielded to public sentiment nonetheless. The Civil Court - like the Constitutional Court and the Criminal Court before it - had deemed the protest constitutional. That pretty much took the wind out of Chalerm's, Tarit's, Surapong's, Thaksin's sails. The irony is that if Ko Tee's calls for secession, plundering the national banks, and going after the independent agencies - really came to fruition - Surapong really would have an emergency on his hands.

If, as you endlessly keep on insisting, that the Yingluck administration is no more, has ceased to exist, just how did a cabinet meeting occur with Yingluck giving the nod to ending the SOE?

Are you blind to what is happening around you or just wilfully stupid?

[JamesDean3]

They will issue the Internal Security Act soon.

[Robby nz]

Lt. Gen. Paradon, in his capacity as Secretary of the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), expressed his confidence that it would be easier under the ISA to apprehend protest core leaders wanted under arrest warrants — adding that the government has no plan at the moment to expand the areas covered by the ISA.

But no mention of arresting those who have been shooting and bombing the protesters,

Make the best of your short time in the job General for you will be replaced very shortly by the man who should be in the job.

[monkeycountry]

Sounds great! But is it really? Once this SOE is cancelled YL can issue a new SOE and the rulings abolishing actions against the protesters will become null and void and would not be applied to the new SOE. If they dont have another SOE chalerm and YL have stated they will use the ISA? Internal security act. So is this the lesser of 2 evils?

Sent from my GT-S5310 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Perhaps, but first Chalerm would have to find Yingluck, which can be quite difficult these days

[monkeycountry]

The former Yingluck administration did not want to do this, and had been resisting as recently as last week. But they have yielded to public sentiment nonetheless. The Civil Court - like the Constitutional Court and the Criminal Court before it - had deemed the protest constitutional. That pretty much took the wind out of Chalerm's, Tarit's, Surapong's, Thaksin's sails. The irony is that if Ko Tee's calls for secession, plundering the national banks, and going after the independent agencies - really came to fruition - Surapong really would have an emergency on his hands.

If, as you endlessly keep on insisting, that the Yingluck administration is no more, has ceased to exist, just how did a cabinet meeting occur with Yingluck giving the nod to ending the SOE?

Are you blind to what is happening around you or just wilfully stupid?

Scampers statement "the former Yingluck administration" is 100% correct. It was formerly an administration, now it is a caretaker administration, as the former administration stepped down (google it if in doubt). A caretaker administration can still hold cabinet meetings, and make decisions, although very limited ones compared to an administration as the rice scam is an excellent example of (again, google if in doubt). I know we disagree on pretty much everything, and that is fine, but please tell me that you understand these very basic factual differences?

Just because former PM Yingluck is no longer PM, but currently caretaker PM, does not mean she is no more and has ceased to exist - to use your words. She is still very much alive, she is just very hard to find these days

Edited March 18, 2014 by monkeycountry

[webfact]

State of emergency revoked, security act imposed
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, March 18 - The caretaker Cabinet today revoked the emergency decree and replaced it with the more lenient Internal Security Act, to be invoked in Bangkok and a few neighnouring provinces.

A government spokesperson said the Internal Security Act will be enforced in Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces, Lat Lum Kaeo district of Pathum Thani and Bang Phli district of Samut Prakarn from tomorrow, March 19, through April 30.

The state of emergency was revoked following complaints from the private sector due to its negative impact on Thailand's investment climate and tourism.

Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reportedly expressed concern on violence and attacks on the homes of high-level officials and personnel in the government, independent agencies and the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee.

She instructed caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul to coordinate with the National Police Bureau and director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order Chalerm
Yubamrung to urgently hunt for the culprits involved in the violent incidents. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-18

[Gweiloman]

4 days before it was due to expire anyway.

This is just another PT, Chalerm publicity stunt to make it look like they actually have achieved something with their abortion of an SOE.

So what has it achieved ?

Well it has cost the country billions and several lives including those of police, it has caused many countries to issue travel warnings against the country and put of an uncountable number of tourists who would not come because their travel insurance did not cover them in a country under a state of emergency.

It has not been able to stop the attacks against the protesters, indeed if anything they increased, until the army moved in, and even then the bombings and shootings moved out from the main stage areas to what must have been perceived as softer targets.

It has not helped to catch a single shooter, grenade thrower or bomber who attacked the protesters.

But there is a 5 star hotel that has done very well out of providing meals so they will be happy.

What has the protests achieve other than to show to the world what a mess this country is in, on all sides of the political divide, unnecessary loss of lives, disrupting businesses and everyday life of ordinary folks? All the current pending court cases could have gone ahead without the protests anyway.

I have been hearing for months how YL and the PTP govt is going to fall, it's becoming extremely boring. Fall they will, one day, it is just the inevitable cycle of politics and parties, but the meaningless protests of the last few months have just been a waste of time and money (though there were some good concerts, I grant you that).

[Alwyn]

4 days before it was due to expire anyway.

This is just another PT, Chalerm publicity stunt to make it look like they actually have achieved something with their abortion of an SOE.

So what has it achieved ?

Well it has cost the country billions and several lives including those of police, it has caused many countries to issue travel warnings against the country and put of an uncountable number of tourists who would not come because their travel insurance did not cover them in a country under a state of emergency.

It has not been able to stop the attacks against the protesters, indeed if anything they increased, until the army moved in, and even then the bombings and shootings moved out from the main stage areas to what must have been perceived as softer targets.

It has not helped to catch a single shooter, grenade thrower or bomber who attacked the protesters.

But there is a 5 star hotel that has done very well out of providing meals so they will be happy.

What has the protests achieve other than to show to the world what a mess this country is in, on all sides of the political divide, unnecessary loss of lives, disrupting businesses and everyday life of ordinary folks? All the current pending court cases could have gone ahead without the protests anyway.

I have been hearing for months how YL and the PTP govt is going to fall, it's becoming extremely boring. Fall they will, one day, it is just the inevitable cycle of politics and parties, but the meaningless protests of the last few months have just been a waste of time and money (though there were some good concerts, I grant you that).

Totally agree with everything you say except the first point about showing the World what a mess Thailand is. I've been back in the UK for 2 weeks and have struggled to get any news on British news channels - the only place (except here on TV and Thai sites) is Al Jazeera! Nobody here seems to care much and a majority of people don't even seem to know much about it! On the other hand, Asia knows all about it though.

[PepperMe]

4 days before it was due to expire anyway.

This is just another PT, Chalerm publicity stunt to make it look like they actually have achieved something with their abortion of an SOE.

So what has it achieved ?

Well it has cost the country billions and several lives including those of police, it has caused many countries to issue travel warnings against the country and put of an uncountable number of tourists who would not come because their travel insurance did not cover them in a country under a state of emergency.

It has not been able to stop the attacks against the protesters, indeed if anything they increased, until the army moved in, and even then the bombings and shootings moved out from the main stage areas to what must have been perceived as softer targets.

It has not helped to catch a single shooter, grenade thrower or bomber who attacked the protesters.

But there is a 5 star hotel that has done very well out of providing meals so they will be happy.

What has the protests achieve other than to show to the world what a mess this country is in, on all sides of the political divide, unnecessary loss of lives, disrupting businesses and everyday life of ordinary folks? All the current pending court cases could have gone ahead without the protests anyway.

I have been hearing for months how YL and the PTP govt is going to fall, it's becoming extremely boring. Fall they will, one day, it is just the inevitable cycle of politics and parties, but the meaningless protests of the last few months have just been a waste of time and money (though there were some good concerts, I grant you that).

Erm.....

It is because of the protests that this country have been internationally exposed as the most corrupt democracy on the planet... that much is true.

It is the protests that stopped an amnesty bill that would have ripped this country apart, and god knows what we would be talking about had that bill got through.

It is the protests that have put probably Thailand's worst performing government in its entire history, on the brink of a precipice and justly so.

It is the protests that have brought about a situation where reforms are now inevitable, which is what this place has needed for a long time.

It is the protests that have brought about the almost now certain decentralization of governance and police which the country will vastly benefit from, and also giving a much fairer hand in the north despite what party is in power.

It is the protests that stopped a loan bill that was set up for massive corruption and plundering forcing the country and our children and the following 2 generations to pay back at around 300 million baht a day for something that would only benefit the few.

It is the protests that will ultimately take the country out of the grip of a tyrannical megalomaniac mass murdering criminal once and for all and cut off his very lucrative money siphoning from the nation.

There ar many other positives that have come out of the protests.... But they don't benefit those who support theft, corruption, national destruction, economic meltdown and all the other bad things that can befall a nation....

I guess that is why you have been unable to spot any benefits.

[rubl]

Good news, bad news ?

Government shows to be in control, revokes Emergency Decree from tomorrow 19th of March, FOUR whole days before it would expire.

Government shows it cares, starts to enforce ISA from the 19th of March.

Ms. Yingluck soon to be asked to comment

[Baerboxer]

The former Yingluck administration did not want to do this, and had been resisting as recently as last week. But they have yielded to public sentiment nonetheless. The Civil Court - like the Constitutional Court and the Criminal Court before it - had deemed the protest constitutional. That pretty much took the wind out of Chalerm's, Tarit's, Surapong's, Thaksin's sails. The irony is that if Ko Tee's calls for secession, plundering the national banks, and going after the independent agencies - really came to fruition - Surapong really would have an emergency on his hands.

If, as you endlessly keep on insisting, that the Yingluck administration is no more, has ceased to exist, just how did a cabinet meeting occur with Yingluck giving the nod to ending the SOE?

Are you blind to what is happening around you or just wilfully stupid?

A reasonable question ............ spoiled by the attempted troll and unnecessary slur at the end,

Your views are ridiculously supportive of the PTP / UDD regime at times, devoid of supporting facts and opposite to known facts, and often pure diversions of a discussions on many occasions as you have no real answer. On other occasions you may post an informative post. Either way, your view, which you are entitled to no matter how misguided.

But no need to accuse you of being blind to what is happening around or will fully stupid. Your replies are simply conditioned.

Edited March 18, 2014 by Baerboxer

[manstr23]

There is not one post here that is not talking about elections. Elections are perhaps every 4 to 5 years and are not everything or the holy grail of democracy. What counts is what the elected do in those years. We have all experienced what the PTP gov. did and or tried to do. The whole existence of this Government was to serve the man in exile.

The other point brought up by the many paid publicists is that K. Abhisit had been installed by the coup makers . To my recollection he was an elected MP and became PM by forming a coalition of parties, as it happens in many other countries, then those MP’s of the coalition voted him in as PM.

Thirdly having lived closed to communist regimes, that where all elected by the way with over 90% of the votes, I know how they sound and how they think and quite a few on this board fit the description. They are dye hard communists, with phrase like “arrogant elites” riling against the people that have more money than they, it is classic communist speech. By now everyone knows that one of the red leaders (Thida Thavornseth) is a communist and the mix in the red brigade made up with a good part of Bolsheviks. They like the violent part of a demonstation.

Some of the red brigade members are saying that voting for PTP is the way to go, in the same sentence they are also saying that they do not like the Shinawatra’s very much. Are they forgetting that the PTP is owned by that family. Owning a political party in this part of the world (as Mr. T figured out) is the fastest way to become a multi billionaire.

I feel for the farmers that work hard and receive very little or nothing. On the end it all comes down to education. Thais are not stupid and given a chance to educate themselves they will see what is happening at this time, unfortunately it will not change anything now, since educating the poor will take decades, but this should be on the forefront of any reform.

Edited March 18, 2014 by manstr23

[NanLaew]

Yep, all is as it should be...

Yingluck is about to get charged by the courts for her involvement in the Rice scam and kicked out of office

PTP are about to get hammered by the courts for their involvement in voting fraud in parliment

Tarit is about to get exposed as corrupt with 'unusual wealth'

The Failed Election is about to get declared null and void

Plus a bunch of other cases aimed at the corrupt government...

... tis a good day to be alive, isn't it?

Oh that reminds me, there's some murder charges coming the way of Yingluck and Chalerm...

... Definitely a good day to be alive!

And you honestly believe that all that sh!t you posted will come to pass?

Ahh Grasshopper, you have much to learn.

[bigbamboo]

4 days before it was due to expire anyway.

This is just another PT, Chalerm publicity stunt to make it look like they actually have achieved something with their abortion of an SOE.

So what has it achieved ?

Well it has cost the country billions and several lives including those of police, it has caused many countries to issue travel warnings against the country and put of an uncountable number of tourists who would not come because their travel insurance did not cover them in a country under a state of emergency.

It has not been able to stop the attacks against the protesters, indeed if anything they increased, until the army moved in, and even then the bombings and shootings moved out from the main stage areas to what must have been perceived as softer targets.

It has not helped to catch a single shooter, grenade thrower or bomber who attacked the protesters.

But there is a 5 star hotel that has done very well out of providing meals so they will be happy.

What has the protests achieve other than to show to the world what a mess this country is in, on all sides of the political divide, unnecessary loss of lives, disrupting businesses and everyday life of ordinary folks? All the current pending court cases could have gone ahead without the protests anyway.

I have been hearing for months how YL and the PTP govt is going to fall, it's becoming extremely boring. Fall they will, one day, it is just the inevitable cycle of politics and parties, but the meaningless protests of the last few months have just been a waste of time and money (though there were some good concerts, I grant you that).

Erm.....

It is because of the protests that this country have been internationally exposed as the most corrupt democracy on the planet... that much is true.

It is the protests that stopped an amnesty bill that would have ripped this country apart, and god knows what we would be talking about had that bill got through.

It is the protests that have put probably Thailand's worst performing government in its entire history, on the brink of a precipice and justly so.

It is the protests that have brought about a situation where reforms are now inevitable, which is what this place has needed for a long time.

It is the protests that have brought about the almost now certain decentralization of governance and police which the country will vastly benefit from, and also giving a much fairer hand in the north despite what party is in power.

It is the protests that stopped a loan bill that was set up for massive corruption and plundering forcing the country and our children and the following 2 generations to pay back at around 300 million baht a day for something that would only benefit the few.

It is the protests that will ultimately take the country out of the grip of a tyrannical megalomaniac mass murdering criminal once and for all and cut off his very lucrative money siphoning from the nation.

There ar many other positives that have come out of the protests.... But they don't benefit those who support theft, corruption, national destruction, economic meltdown and all the other bad things that can befall a nation....

I guess that is why you have been unable to spot any benefits.

Things may look a mess now and not everyone will see the bigger picture but in time I think history will show the past few months to have been a positive development for Thailand as a nation.

Edited March 18, 2014 by bigbamboo

[smileydude]

The lifting comes with an agenda. That is, an excuse to justify the request that the army remove most of the bunkers around Bangkok which the government claims looks intimidating to tourists and locals but in actuality fearing it facilitates a coup. With the bunkers and manned checkpoints gone, throwing bombs will be even more convenient.

Edited March 19, 2014 by smileydude