THAI GOVERNMENT EXTENDS STATE OF EMERGENCY IN BANGKOK
Baku, July 6 (AZERTAC). The Thai government has extended a state of emergency in 19 provinces, including the capital Bangkok, because of fears of renewed violence.
The emergency decree was revoked in five other provinces, after a three-month deadline expired. The law was imposed during mass anti-government protests earlier this year in which 90 people were killed. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told the BBC on Monday that there would be a gradual lifting of emergency law.
Under emergency rule, public gatherings of more than five people are banned and security forces have the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge. More than 400 people have been arrested. There have been calls by human rights organisations to lift what they describe as a "draconian" law, saying it risks driving opposition underground. The five provinces where emergency rule has been lifted are Si Sa Ket, Kalasin, Nan, Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Pathom, located in north, north-east and central Thailand. There are 76 provinces in Thailand.
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