State of Emergency Declared in Bangkok

Gov't bans gatherings of more than 5 in capital
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 12, 2009 5:55 AM CDT
State of Emergency Declared in Bangkok
Anti-government protesters and supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra react to the speech of Thaksin, who addressed the crowd via telephone Saturday, April 11, 2009.    (Wason Wanichakorn)

Thailand's embattled government, humiliated by demonstrators who shut down a 16-nation Asian summit, declared a state of emergency in the capital today and ordered armored vehicles into the streets to stem a tide of protest across the country. Bands of anti-government protesters roamed Bangkok as the decree was announced. They smashed a car, commandeered public buses, and beat up motorists who hurled insults at them.

The emergency decree bans gatherings of more than five people, forbids news reports considered threatening to public order, and allows the government to call up military troops to quell unrest. But there were signs that officials might not be able to contain the protesters. Demonstrators swarmed over two armored personnel carriers outside a city shopping mall, while police stood by as a furious crowd beat a car that they thought held the prime minister. (More Thailand stories.)

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