State of Emergency announced in Bangkok
BANGKOK (The Nation): Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej this morning announced a state of emergency in Bangkok, following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters at about 1:30 am.
Reasoning that some groups of people caused disturbances in Bangkok that affect peace and security, Samak announced the enforcement of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations.
The prime minister’s order also appointed the army chief to be in charge of enforcing the emergency decree in Bangkok.
The announcement exempted the enforcement paragraph 1 of Article 9 which prohibits people from leaving their houses, meaning people can still go to work today. But the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced that its 436 schools will be closed for three days, starting today.
The state of emergency prohibits gatherings of more than five people.
The state of emergency authorises the authorities to evict people from any place or prohibit them from entering a place.
The state of emergency also prohibits news publicity in a way that terrifies the public.
The state of emergency also allows the authorities to detain suspects for seven days and would prohibit people from making illegal entries into government offices.
After learning about the emergency situation announcement, the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship-led protesters dispersed from the area near the Rajdamnone Boxing Stadium but regrouped at Sanam Luang. The DAAD protesters are pro-government.
The leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (the staunchly anti-government protest group) were also unperturbed by the state of emergency, saying their protest would continue at Government House.
A Thai PBS reporter at the scene says that more people came out to join the rally this morning.
Democrat Party MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said the state of emergency would allow the prime minister to have absolute control.
Sathit said it seemed that the government foresaw the violence and state of emergency. He said the prime minster and People Power MPs indicated the violence would take place when they spoke during a debate on the political crisis Sunday night.
Supreme Commander Gen Boonsrang Niampradit said the people should stay calm and the government would take only necessary actions.
