">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Thailand imposes state of emergency in Bangkok: state TV
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Thailand imposes state of emergency in Bangkok: state TV
AFP - Monday, April 13
BANGKOK, April 12, 2009 (AFP) - Thailand declared a state of emergency in and around Bangkok on Sunday as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva struggled to crack down on protesters who wrecked a summit of Asian leaders.
ADVERTISEMENT
Minutes after he spoke, protesters fired into the air as Abhisit was being driven out of the interior ministry, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
The order declaring emergency rule came shortly after police arrested the leader of demonstrators loyal to ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who humiliated the government on Saturday by storming the summit in the resort of Pattaya.
Authorities were forced to scrap the meeting and evacuate foreign leaders, some of them by helicopter from the hotel roof, in a major embarrassment for Abhisit's government.
"The government has tried all along to avoid violence, but the protest has developed and they have used actions incompatible with the constitution," the embattled premier said on television.
"Now the government is unable to avoid this state of emergency," he added.
"In the past we have tried to maintain normalcy, but now we must speed up our efforts to restore the situation before it worsens."
State television said the emergency was imposed "because the situation is worsening with a group of people inciting unrest."
It allows police to clear thousands of red-shirted protesters who regrouped in their thousands Sunday outside Abhisit's office, the interior ministry, and a courtroom where a hearing on the protest leader's detention was due.
They are calling on British-born Abhisit to resign and call new elections, just four months after he took office on the back of a court ruling that drove Thaksin's allies from government.
Police earlier said they had arrested protest leader Arisman Pongreungrong, a former pop singer, at his Bangkok home "on the charge of inciting protesters to kidnap the prime minister and cause unrest in the country."
Leaders of the so-called "Red Shirts" quickly retorted by saying they would call nationwide rallies if Arisman was not freed.
"If the police do not release Arisman this afternoon, the Red Shirts in other provinces around the country will take action," rally leader Nattawut Saikur said.
The emergency measure bans public gatherings of more than five people and empowers police and military to detain suspects for up to 30 days without charge.
Authorities can also enforce strict controls on the media and other forms of communication.
Cowboy-hatted Arisman had stood atop a lorry outside the Pattaya summit, egging on thousands of demonstrators as they barged past security forces and smashed through glass doors to enter the summit.
The weekend's summit was being held to discuss the global financial crisis and North Korea's rocket launch and included the leaders of China, Japan and South Korea plus 10 Southeast Asian nations.
Thaksin's supporters are angry that the government's pledges to prosecute their rivals in the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for an airport blockade last year have so far come to nothing.
The PAD, which had organised protests preceding the 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin, reformed to rally against his allies in government last year, peaking in their occupation of Bangkok's airports for nine days.
Thailand has been riven by turmoil since the military led a bloodless 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin.
He retains deep support among the poor but is loathed by the elite in the palace, military and bureaucracy.
Thaksin remains in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption, but has rallied supporters -- and incensed the government -- with almost nightly video and telephone speeches from an unidentified foreign hideout.
Foreign leaders voiced dismay at the disruption to the summit while local newspapers criticised Abhisit's handling of the protests.
"Yesterday was a truly shameful day for our country," the Bangkok Post said in a front-page editorial, adding that Abhisit's government was "to blame for mishandling the situation in Bangkok and Pattaya."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
0 users recommend
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefireAFP - 1 hour 19 minutes ago
Thai government declares emergencyReuters - 1 hour 25 minutes ago
Suspected Islamic militants arrested in BangladeshAP - 1 hour 31 minutes ago
Female official killed in southern AfghanistanAP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago
SKorean prosecutors quiz ex-president's wife, sonAP - Monday, April 13
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
UN sounds warning after Antarctica ice shelf rips
Bad mood, better recall, researchers find
Pirate hostage siege, Italian tug grabbed
Harry Potter actor arrested over cannabis find
US budget deficit nears $1 trillion
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Sunday, 12 April 2009 Israeli jets scramble to escort Delta flight
9 Sunni fighters die in suicide attack in Iraq
Blogger becomes casualty of Iran cyber-wars
Egypt detains man transporting £1.4 mln for Hamas
Sudan opposition calls for transitional government
Suicide bomber kills 12 Sunni militiamen in Iraq
Somali pirates 'capture US tug'
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 604
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,271
Ship reaches Kenya; pirate lifeboat drifts toward land
| International
|
U.N. draft demands enforcement of North Korea sanctions
| International
|
Pope leads Catholics into Easter
| International
|
Some 100,000 demand Sri Lanka ceasefire in UK march
| International
|
Hundreds mourn British man's death during G20 protest
| International
|
Obama: Global cooperation needed on big problems
Venezuela's Chavez sees 'good signals' from US
High seas hostage drama could conclude in US court
US hostage skipper makes failed break for freedom
Officials: Navy has amphibious assault ship ready
Skype founders 'looking to buy back company'
Rock Band practicing Chinese Democracy
| Technology
|
Skype founders said to be eyeing eBay company: report
| Technology
|
London marchers remember G20 death
Tiananmen 20 years later: A survivor's story
UN chief urges Laos to overcome poverty
Nashiro retains WBA super flyweight title
Asia summit gala dinner goes on _ minus delegates
Racers too Fast for Hannah Montana at box office
| Entertainment
|
Paparazzo says actor Woody Harrelson assaulted him
| Entertainment
|
Paparazzo says actor Woody Harrelson assaulted him
Festival producers optimistic despite recession
| Entertainment
|
Japan may drop UN resolution on NKorea: report
Key dates in Thailand's political unrest
China economic stimulus starting to work: premier
Green Day plans rare NYC club gig
| Entertainment
|
Dave Matthews Band's Whiskey a toast to Moore
| Entertainment
|
China's hurdler Liu 'eyeing comeback'
Pakistan gets record remittances in March
Pakistani c.bank buys 43.03 bln rupees of T-bills
Dolly Parton finds Cracker Barrel a good fit
| Entertainment
|
China foreign exchange reserves at $1.95 trillion
William H. Macy sees new turn in career track
| Entertainment
|
Billy Bob Thornton's band cancels Canadian tour
China forex reserves fall in February
Rock Band practicing Chinese Democracy
| Entertainment
|
Blade Runner blaster gun lands on auction bloc
| Entertainment
|
Pilgrims throng to tomb of Jesus
China bank loans at record high in March: official
Springsteen accused of affair in U.S. divorce case
| Entertainment
|
French against rose wine made by mixing red, white
Taiwan passes $4.41 bln stimulus plan
NASA to announce module name on `Colbert Report'
Japan PM launches stimulus with eye on election
Dave Matthews Band's "Whiskey" a toast to Moore
India to hold auction of oil and gas blocks
"Rock Band" practicing "Chinese Democracy"
Renault, Nissan to produce 'clean' cars for China
Festival producers optimistic despite recession
Iran director's film casts new light on homeland
Dolly Parton finds Cracker Barrel a good fit
Hundreds of irregularities in Indonesia vote
NASA to unveil space station name on Colbert show
Somali pirates, U.S. captive drift toward shore
| International
|
Israel minister: Hezbollah chief 'deserves to die'
U.N. draft calls for North Korea sanctions
| International
|
As Marines' exit gathers pace, some Iraqis fret
Baluch militants kill six mine workers in Pakistan
| International
|
Real IRA threaten to take campaign to Britain: report
| International
|
First US family reportedly gets dog
Thai PM moves to restore order after summit fiasco
| International
|
Pirate hostage siege, Italian tug grabbed
Indonesia president eyes allies, but coalition may take weeks
| International
|
Tigers face semi-final Rugby Cup showdown with Cardiff
Pope leads Catholics into Easter
| International
|
Maoists win three of six seats in Nepal by-elections
| International
|
FBI to question US crew in criminal piracy probe
Fiji faces international backlash over upheaval
Thai summit protest leader arrested: police
Major powers agree new NKorea sanctions text
Protests can't stop the party at Thai beach resort
Malaysia police hit by new claim of suspect abuse
SKorean ex-leader's son quizzed over corruption
US says 4 militants killed in Afghan clash
Support for Japan PM recovers
In "Africa Wax" war, Dutch take on China
Militants torch trucks along US-NATO supply line
S.Korea says to inject $377 mln to help car industry
New orangutan population found in Indonesia
Global steel industry awaits auto turnaround
Bank of Japan to bolster capital: report
Toyota set to suffer second straight loss: report
Latvia faces tough tasks in post-boom hangover
Summit siege a fresh blow for Thai tourism
Villa construction frenzy paving Bali paradise
Iran president dismisses demand to halt atom work
Thai ministry stormed after government declares emergency
| International
|
Iran president dismisses demand to halt atom work: report
| International
|
Israel's Netanyahu vows to talk peace with Abbas
Israeli, Palestinian leaders make first phone call
Italy quake survivors celebrate bitter Easter
| International
|
Mummies found in ancient Egypt burial chamber
Abbas calls Israel's Netanyahu, urges peace moves
Egypt state-controlled paper denounces Hezbollah
| International
|
Christians mark Easter as pope pleads for peace
NGO leading talks to free two aid workers in Sudan
| International
|
Pope comforts quake survivors on sombre Easter
Afghan female provincial legislator shot dead
Zimbabwe sets team to drive constitutional reforms
| International
|
New years' halt to Sri Lanka fighting: president
| International
|
Israeli man injured in 2002 bombing dies of wounds
Moldovan court orders recount of disputed election
| International
|
Odierno: US troops in Iraq's cities up to Iraq
Negotiations resume to free US captain
Berlusconi shares Easter with quake survivors
Madonna still keen to adopt Malawian child: report
| Entertainment
|
Thai government declares emergency
Thai PM declares state of emergency to curb unrest
SKorean prosecutors quiz ex-president's wife, son
Thailand announces state of emergency in capital
Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefire
Chinese helicopter crashes into sea off Shanghai
Thailand imposes state of emergency in Bangkok: state TV
Afghan government: 22 militants killed in clash
Chinese premier says economy improving
China planned $10B investment fund at summit meet
Fox's Glenn Beck announces comedy tour
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Indonesia president eyes allies, but coalition may take weeks
Madonna still keen to adopt Malawian child: report
Michael Caine is not the retiring type
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights