Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday imposed a state of emergency after overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters left one person dead and dozens injured.
State and private broadcasting stations announced the declaration of the state of emergency at 7am (2400 GMT)
Spokesmen for the United front of Democracy against Dictatorship immediately announced they will end their rally centered at Sanam Luang. “We will obey the law and go home.”
Suriyasai Katasila, the chief ideologue for the People’s Alliance for Democracy, said the PAD leaders would consult on their next move.
The declaration is the first use of a controversial new Emergency Law passed in the dying days of the military government late last year.
It never has been used, and its use takes Thailand another giant step into previously uncharted political waters.
In charge of Bangkok security effective immediately is the Internal Security Operations Command, or Isoc. Mr Samak is the nominal head of Isoc, although the army and special Isoc commands will run its operations.
Source : http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=130258
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