Thai army, police ready to lift emergency rule in Bangkok

Dec 9, 2010, 10:39 GMT

Bangkok - Thai security officials recommended Thursday that the state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding provinces be lifted as police moved to ensure an opposition rally planned this week takes place peacefully.

The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) said it supported the scrapping of the emergency decree in the capital and the neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday signaled his likely approval of lifting the decree, saying, 'The overall situation has improved.'

Emergency rule, which gives enhanced powers to police and military forces, was initially imposed in Bangkok and 23 other provinces in March as the country was shaken by violent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces.

The unrest, culminating in a violent military crackdown May 19 in Bangkok, left 91 people dead and nearly 2,000 wounded.

'If the cabinet approves the lifting of the state of emergency, the CRES will be dissolved,' said the centre's spokesman, Army Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd.

The centre is under joint police and military control but is dominated by the army.

Under the state of emergency, Bangkok residents have become accustomed to seeing armed soldiers at public transport hubs and other strategic points and having their belongings checked by security officials.

Meanwhile, officials said they would deploy about 1,100 police at Bangkok's Democracy Monument Friday to ensure peace and order during a planned rally by anti-government protestors.

Mass rallies are illegal under the state of emergency, but several peaceful demonstrations have been held since the May 19 crackdown.

'We're not allowed to put up loudspeakers,' said Sean Boonpracong, who served as spokesman for the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship during the April-May protests.

He said the movement, which is backed by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been somewhat fragmented since the crackdown.

Most of the its leaders are behind bars, accused of various crimes, including terrorism, while several have fled the country.

Jatuporn Promphan, one of the few who remained free because of his status as a member of parliament, appeared in court Thursday to answer a charge of defamation filed by Abhisit.

Asked by reporters whether Friday's demonstration was likely to turn violent, Jutaporn replied, 'I have no idea. Whatever will happen will happen.'

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