Emergency law imposed throughout Bangkok
The Thai government on November 25 has invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) across the whole of Bangkok and nearby provinces – including the province where the city’s main airport Suvarnabhumi is located – with immediate effect after anti-government protesters occupied two state ministries and other public buildings in the capital.
The act allows troops to impose curfews, operate checkpoints and restrict movements of protesters.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made the announcement on the extension after chairing a crisis cabinet meeting on escalating protests against her administration. She said heightened security measures are required, but government will refrain from using force to end the protests.
Anti-government protesters forced their way inside Thailand’s Finance Ministry and burst through the gates of the Foreign Ministry compound, in an escalating bid to overthrow the prime minister. They also seized the government’s public relations department, where the official Thai news agency is situated.
The seizing of government buildings by protesters, led by the opposition Democrat Party, plunges Thailand into its deepest political uncertainty since it was convulsed three years ago by the bloodiest political unrest in a generation.
The US in a note has expressed concern over rising political tensions in Thailand and urged the government and protesters to resolve differences “through peaceful dialogue”.
So far, the protests have been non-violent apart from an incident that involved a German journalist who has allegedly been beaten by anti-government protesters for taking pictures of a rally.
Foreigners and tourists have been warned to avoid the protests.
The Thai government on November 25 has invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) across the whole of Bangkok and nearby provinces - including the province where the city's main airport Suvarnabhumi is located - with immediate effect after anti-government protesters occupied two state ministries and other public buildings in the capital. The act allows troops to impose curfews, operate checkpoints and restrict movements of protesters. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made the announcement on the extension after chairing a crisis cabinet meeting on escalating protests against her administration. She said heightened security measures are required, but government will refrain from using...
The Thai government on November 25 has invoked the Internal Security Act (ISA) across the whole of Bangkok and nearby provinces – including the province where the city’s main airport Suvarnabhumi is located – with immediate effect after anti-government protesters occupied two state ministries and other public buildings in the capital.
The act allows troops to impose curfews, operate checkpoints and restrict movements of protesters.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra made the announcement on the extension after chairing a crisis cabinet meeting on escalating protests against her administration. She said heightened security measures are required, but government will refrain from using force to end the protests.
Anti-government protesters forced their way inside Thailand’s Finance Ministry and burst through the gates of the Foreign Ministry compound, in an escalating bid to overthrow the prime minister. They also seized the government’s public relations department, where the official Thai news agency is situated.
The seizing of government buildings by protesters, led by the opposition Democrat Party, plunges Thailand into its deepest political uncertainty since it was convulsed three years ago by the bloodiest political unrest in a generation.
The US in a note has expressed concern over rising political tensions in Thailand and urged the government and protesters to resolve differences “through peaceful dialogue”.
So far, the protests have been non-violent apart from an incident that involved a German journalist who has allegedly been beaten by anti-government protesters for taking pictures of a rally.
Foreigners and tourists have been warned to avoid the protests.
