Thailand announces state of emergency in capital
Monday, 13 April 2009
BANGKOK, April 12 (AP): Thailand has imposed a state of emergency in its capital, Bangkok, and surrounding areas.
The action by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva comes a day after anti-government protesters swarmed into a hotel hosting an Asian summit, forcing its cancellation.
The protesters, who are seeking Abhisit's resignation, also blocked a major Bangkok intersection for several days last week, disrupting traffic.
The decree bans gatherings of more than five people and forbids reporting that is considered threatening to public order.
Meanwhile, Thailand's humiliated government arrested the leader of protesters who shut down a 16-nation Asian summit, and the prime minister vowed further crackdowns as the demonstrators regrouped in the capital for renewed rallies Sunday.
Arisman Pongruengrong, who spearheaded Saturday's demonstrations, was taken into custody and detained at the headquarters of Thailand's Border Patrol Police on Bangkok's outskirts, police Maj Gen Supon Pansua said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier Sunday vowed swift legal action against the protesters who stormed the venue of an East Asian Summit in the beach resort of Pattaya. Abhisit spoke on national television as fears mounted that the country could face violence or a military crackdown in coming days.
Jakrapob Penkair, another protest leader, said members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship were gathering around Government House, the prime minister's office, which has been the prime focus of their earlier demonstrations demanding Abhisit's resignation.
Several hundred of the red-shirted protesters also rallied outside the downtown headquarters of the Royal Thai Police and at the Criminal Court, where they believe Arisman would be taken after interrogation.
The action by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva comes a day after anti-government protesters swarmed into a hotel hosting an Asian summit, forcing its cancellation.
The protesters, who are seeking Abhisit's resignation, also blocked a major Bangkok intersection for several days last week, disrupting traffic.
The decree bans gatherings of more than five people and forbids reporting that is considered threatening to public order.
Meanwhile, Thailand's humiliated government arrested the leader of protesters who shut down a 16-nation Asian summit, and the prime minister vowed further crackdowns as the demonstrators regrouped in the capital for renewed rallies Sunday.
Arisman Pongruengrong, who spearheaded Saturday's demonstrations, was taken into custody and detained at the headquarters of Thailand's Border Patrol Police on Bangkok's outskirts, police Maj Gen Supon Pansua said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier Sunday vowed swift legal action against the protesters who stormed the venue of an East Asian Summit in the beach resort of Pattaya. Abhisit spoke on national television as fears mounted that the country could face violence or a military crackdown in coming days.
Jakrapob Penkair, another protest leader, said members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship were gathering around Government House, the prime minister's office, which has been the prime focus of their earlier demonstrations demanding Abhisit's resignation.
Several hundred of the red-shirted protesters also rallied outside the downtown headquarters of the Royal Thai Police and at the Criminal Court, where they believe Arisman would be taken after interrogation.