By IANS,
Bangkok : A state of emergency has been declared in Bangkok and in the adjoining areas following widespread political unrest, Xinhua reported Wednesday.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made the announcement live on TV around 6.00 p.m. Wednesday.
He has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban to head the committee that will handle the emergency situation.
The prime minister said the measure is to restore normalcy, stop the spread of disinformation and conduct legal procedure against the “red-shirts” demonstrators and their leaders.
He said the Internal Security Act, which has been enforced since the beginning of the unrest in March, is not enough to control the situation, as the opposition rallies have turned unconstitutional.
The anti-government movement has been staging rallies since March 12 in Bangkok to pressure the prime minister to dissolve the parliament and hold a snap election.
Abhisit said the “red-shirts” protesters do not abide by the law now.