Thailand eases emergency rule

BANGKOK, 30 July 2010 – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva revoked the emergency decree in six more provinces, Thursday, but Bangkok, remains on the list along with nine provinces, despite pressure from the travel industry to revoke the law.

The ruling has been lifted in Ayutthaya, Nong Bua Lamphu, Chaiyaphum, Chonburi, Mukdahan and Maha Sarakham reducing the provinces under state of emergency to just 10.

The remaining areas are: Bangkok; Nonthaburi; Pathum Thani; Chiang Mai; Chiang Rai; Ubon Ratchathani; Udon Thani; Nakhon Ratchasima; Khon Kaen and Samut Prakan.

The emergency rule was initially introduced 7 April covering 24 provinces to cope with the anti-government demonstrations that had turned violent. Protesters burned provincial offices and shopping malls in downtown Bangkok when troops moved in to disperse protesters, late May.

Deputy Prime Minister and Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation chief, Suthep Thaugsuban, met with top security officials Thursday morning to assess the security situation in each province where the emergency regulation is still active.

He said the government did not intend to extend the emergency decree until the end of this year but it would depend on the situation in each province.

Thailand’s travel industry believes the state of emergency is detrimental to tourism promotion and claims that foreign countries will not withdraw travel advisories on the country as long as the government extends the state of emergency.

However, there are concerns over public safety. A bomb exploded earlier in the week in Ratchaprasong shopping district killing one person and injuring nine others. There was also a minor confrontation between police officers and red shirt protesters reported early yesterday morning near the Amari Watergate Hotel, also close to Ratchaprasong commercial district.