State of emergency announced in Bangkok

PM to have absolute control; PAD to go on protesting despite state of emergency; more people join protest at Government House, pro-goverment protesters dispersse

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday announced the state of emergency in Bangkok following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters early in the morning.

Reasoning that some groups of people caused disturbances in Bangkok that affect the peace and security, Samak announced the enforcement of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations in Bangkok.

The prime minister's order also appointed the army chief to be in charge of enforcing the emergency decree in Bangkok.

Thai PBS said the PM's order would exempt the enforcement paragraph 1 of Article 9 which prohibit people from leaving their houses, meaning peole can still go t work.

The station said the announcement would prohibit gathering of more than five people.

But the state of emerency authorises the authorities to evict people from any place or prohibit them from enteirng 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.

Pro-government protesters dispersesd soon after learning about the the emerency situation announcement.

But the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy said the protest would continue at Government House.

Thai PBS reporter reported from the scene that more people came out to join the rally Tuesday 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.

-- The Nation 2008-08-02

September 02, 2008 10:24am (8:24am Thailand)

THAILAND'S Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in Bangkok today, state radio announced, hours after clashes between opponents and supporters of his government left one dead.

Embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who has faced mounting calls for his resignation, appointed the powerful army commander General Anupong Paojinda as chief of a special team tasked with enforcing the emergency decree.

Bangkok's police chief and the capital's regional army commander have been appointed his deputies.

Under the emergency decree, gatherings of more than five people in Bangkok are banned.

"By invoking this emergency decree, (General) Anupong can ban people from entering any specific place and can evacuate people from any specific place," the announcement said.

Thai police called in army reinforcements early Tuesday as thousands of pro-and anti-government protesters clashed in the capital, leaving one dead and dozens injured, officials and local media said.

Thai television showed protesters wearing helmets and carrying batons running though the streets, fighting with each other and throwing rocks, as people lay bleeding on the street.

The violence took place not far from the site where about 15,000 demonstrators have been besieging the main government compound for a week, demanding that Mr Samak step down.

This post has been edited by ozsamurai: 2008-09-02 08:05:54

I think it was only a matter of time. A stalemate like the one that was going on doesn't last forever, something has to give and it did.

Not good news at all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I wonder how it will all end?

But now there has been a death...things could get real ugly I reckon...I hope I am wrong

And so it begins...

In case anyone's interested this was the number one news story on the BBC News 24 station in England on the 02:00 news, even before the hurricane news. They did a full run down on the situation including an interview with one of their guys in Bangkok. It lasted about five minutes in total.

436 BMA schools will be closed for three days

BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced Tuesday that its 436 schools will be closed for three days following the announcement of the state of emergency in the capital.

-- The Nation

Let hope this comes to a rest soon. Here in Rachada things are quite so far , but us Expats should be aware of things around them.

How long before the tanks are on the streets...........again??????????

Does a State of Emergency in anyway affect what can be posted on Thai Visa.

Sure would be a lot fewer posts if only gov't sanctioned posts were allowed!

Doesn't that mean this order is in violation of itself? Obviously Samak has only concern for himself, and have no clue what a HUGE negative impact the declaration of a state of emergency means to the rest of the world, especially investors & tourists. Samak's short-sighted efforts to save his own neck will be at the expense of all of Thailand.

Samak obviously intended and wanted this to happen. He & the PPP paid for buses to bring their supporters in from the North so they could deliberately start a fight and cause violence.

The PAD have been demonstrating peacefully for weeks and continue to be peaceful.

100% of the trouble is due to Samak & the PPP who organized and deliberately intended their supporters to cause the recent violence that now gives them the excuse to attack the PAD.

Samak Ow Pai!

So much for Democracy. I'm getting out of here while the getting is good beforethey shut down the main airport in Bangkok. I certainly don't want to be stuck here during a Revolution should it come to that.

If you weren't read this or listening to any English language radios or TV and didn't fly to Krabi, Phuket, or Hat Yai last week, you would probably never even know this was happening. Your life is probably unaffected by this unless your income is derived from tourism or you live next to the protest site, then you might be worried.

I think I am more affected by the huge black cloud literally hovering over Pattaya now.

Let's hope the army restores order peacefully - hopefully the PAD will go home unless they want bloodshed?

will this topic be used for news/bulletins?

With the politiking and interminable dialectic debate on the other 'siege' topic

This post has been edited by Journalist: 2008-09-02 08:35:35

That is a good news.

Why do people assume that all gov are bad?
This gov is from the majority votes and the protestors are back supported by the opponants.

Wake up!!!!

One bomb, one death, several people in hospital? When will Thais think about something else than filling their own pockets?

Why can't the "elected" man be in power? Is he worse than the other one? Is he the worst one ever? Is the country going that bad?

OR

Is it only PAD that wants to stirr things up and create a mess here? Thinking that Thaksin will leave? (Newsflash people, Thaksin is out of the country already).

Again, right on schedule.
Sad for Thailand and it's people.

You may be right about this being on purpose.

I looked at CNN just now and there is a picture of
one red marked individual on the ground
with several yellow around with sticks..
Looks bad, till you look closer...

If you look closer the red guy has a machetee in his hand.
Not exactly a peaceful act, or one intended for dialog.

Bad business.

This post has been edited by animatic: 2008-09-02 08:53:28

I just read the online bangkokpost. and it was reported that the PAD was going to shut off water and electricity in bangkok. if this isn't a reason for declaring a "state of emergency", what is?

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=130252

PAD needs to stand down.

I'm afraid CNN has cut half the globe from its beat. And focuses of fluffy distractions in the remainder. Good on the BBC!
With dozens hurt and one dead, this is a serious test of the new constitution.
And a good visual for the impolite mayhem on the streets of the land of smiles.

Long live
King Bumibol Adulyadej

I am a firm supporter of PAD and the protest....

It has always been a peaceful protest, in hopes of stopping further corruption and theft of the country to benefit a few at the top.

My wife bears the scars of the May 92 protest, when another corrupt government did the same thing to the people that were peacefully assembled. Many were killed and wounded.

The most peaceful outcome would be for word from on High to come down for Samak to find life elsewhere. I thought it would after his visit to Hua Hin last week.

LOL
And I thought I was naive sometimes. Samak is Thaksin's man. No? Maybe Samak is telling the truth in his propaganda show... that he's his own man, and not beholden to Thaksin.

maybe not
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Is there any word about government businesses closing? Where is the brunt of the violence taking place? I hope all the people realize that everyone of them are the same, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, providers, non-providers etc. Everyone is someone to somebody. To permanently remove a family member from ones family is certainly offensive. I hope there is a moment of thinking before the act. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

OK Samak is an ....... but to underline peaceful demonstration while disrupting and endangering the whole country is just naiv.
What you expect - that he just backs off?
Naiv again.

He has to play his role in the game like anybody else, and his role is to show that actions like that can't succeed.
For the sake of future ( uhhh ... maybe now I sound naiv (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) )

maxi

Now Thaksin has sold his share of Man City to The Abu Dahbi clan,does this mean he can use his money too fund these riot even further?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
Makes you think eh??