Thai govt. declares state of emergency amid protests
Iran Press TV
Tue Jan 21, 2014 1:43PM GMT
Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency as anti-government protests are gaining momentum in some parts of the Southeast Asian country.
The government has imposed a 60-day state of emergency in the capital, Bangkok, and the surrounding provinces.
The decree gives the government wide-ranging powers to deal with the disorder.
'The cabinet decided to invoke the emergency decree to take care of the situation and to enforce the law,' media outlets quoted Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul as saying.
Labor Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who will oversee the implementation of the emergency decree, said the aim of the emergency decree was to regain control of the ongoing intense situation.
'We need it because the protesters have closed government buildings, [and] banks and escalated the situation, which has caused injuries and deaths,' Yubamrung said, adding, 'The government sees the need to announce the emergency decree to keep the situation under control.'
The protests intend to derail the February 2 elections, which the prime minister has called for, in an attempt to contain the political crisis. They want to replace the government with an unelected 'People's Council.'
Anti-government demonstrations started October last year and are aimed at removing Yingluck from office.
Protests started after Bangkok proposed an amnesty bill that could have pardoned ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, setting the scene for his return to the country.
The ex-premier, ousted in 2006, has been in self-exile since 2008 to avoid a two-year prison sentence.
JR/PR/SS
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