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Journalism of Courage
Thailand’s premier today lifted a curfew imposed across about one third of the country,including Bangkok,in the wake of deadly anti-government protests,saying the situation was now under control.
But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was no plan yet to revoke emergency rule following the end of two months of mass rallies by the “Red Shirts” that left almost 90 people dead in a series of clashes with troops.
“The curfew will be lifted but the state of emergency will remain in place,” Abhisit told reporters.
He said security officials had proposed ending the night-time restrictions on movement “as the situation is under control.”
The measure was imposed in Bangkok and 23 provinces,out of a total of 76,on May 19 after enraged protesters went on a rampage of arson following an army crackdown on their rally,which had paralysed the retail heart of the capital.
Protest leaders surrendered after armoured vehicles backed by armed troops firing live rounds smashed through towering barricades made of tyres and razor wire that the Red Shirts had erected around their sprawling base.
But militant protesters angered by the outcome set 36 major buildings ablaze including the stock exchange and Thailand’s biggest shopping mall,Central World,which now stands in ruins.
The unrest also spread to several cities in the Red Shirts’ stronghold in Thailand’s impoverished northeast.
