">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Thailand lifts state of emergency
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 lifts state of emergency
Reuters - Saturday, April 25
By Pracha Hariraksapitak
ADVERTISEMENT
BANGKOK - Thailand's prime minister ended a 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok on Friday and called for constitutional reforms in a bid to heal the deep political rifts behind recent violent protests.
"The lifting of the decree will send a signal to the world that Thailand is back to normal," Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters after signing the order ending emergency rule in the capital and nearby areas.
Thai shares rose after the announcement as investors hoped for a return to stability.
Bangkok has been calm since troops and local residents fought running street battles with red-shirted supporters of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra seeking to topple Abhisit and force new elections.
But Thailand's four-year-old political crisis, which has eroded confidence in the tourism- and export-driven economy, is far from over.
A leader of the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship called on supporters to rally in Bangkok on Saturday night.
"We will demand Abhisit's resignation, a dissolution of the House and the scrapping of all arrest warrants against the red shirts," Somyos Prueksakasemsuk told a news conference.
The pro-Thaksin political opposition accuse Abhisit of using heavy-handed methods to stop the protesters, who forced the embarrassing cancellation of a summit of Asian leaders.
Abhisit rejected the charge but agreed to an independent inquiry into the clashes, which killed two people and injured more than 100 others.
He said lifting the decree showed he was serious about reconciliation, and a court granted bail to three UDD leaders detained since April 14.
But police are hunting for others blamed for Thailand's worst street violence in 16 years, as well as gunmen who attempted to assassinate the leader of a royalist, pro-government group.
Sondhi Limthongkul, co-founder of the "yellow shirt" movement that led mass protests against Thaksin before he was ousted in a 2006 coup, will stay in hospital for a few more days to recover from a head wound, a colleague said.
RESET BUTTON?
Political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak said the onus was now on Abhisit to push through political reforms to "reset the democratic game" in Thailand.
Broadly speaking, the crisis is a battle between the "yellow shirts" -- royalists, the military and urban, middle-class Thais who back Abhisit -- and the "red shirt" supporters of Thaksin, whose power base was mainly drawn from millions of rural and urban poor who loved his populist policies.
The UDD wants new elections, arguing that Abhisit's victory in a December parliamentary vote with the help of Thaksin defectors was illegitimate.
Abhisit has rejected a new poll, but he proposed an all-party commission to reform the military-inspired constitution drafted in 2007 after Thaksin was ousted.
The constitution has been a source of political tension, criticised as a step back from the 1997 "People's Charter," which allowed for a fully elected upper house.
"This mechanism would be an open forum that includes all sides -- ruling parties, the opposition, civil society -- in discussing ideas about the political reform," government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told Reuters.
However, Abhisit's plan faced opposition before it could get off the ground. Some parliamentarians have opposed talk of an amnesty for Thaksin allies banned from politics after they were found guilty of electoral fraud.
"The government should not use the amendment to cut a deal with the opposition to prolong its term," Senator Rosana Tositrakul said during the parliamentary debate.
Abhisit has firmly rejected an amnesty for those convicted of criminal acts, such as Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid a two-year jail term on conflict of interest charges.
THAKSIN IN AFRICA
The former billionaire telecoms tycoon turned up in the West African country of Liberia this week on a search for investment opportunities in mining, agriculture and gas.
Thaksin told reporters he liked the "good business climate" in Liberia, which is recovering from years of civil war and economic collapse.
Thai officials revoked Thaksin's passport after the latest violence in Bangkok, but the wily former premier has obtained a diplomatic passport from Nicaragua.
However, his living options have been reduced since Britain revoked his visa last year. Bangkok has urged the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and other governments to deny him refuge.
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
Japan pop star apologizes for alleged indecencyAP - 1 hour 47 minutes ago
Russia renews opposition to sanctions on NKoreaAP - 1 hour 57 minutes ago
Japan pop star free after naked arrestAFP - 2 hours 3 minutes ago
North Korea to boycott nuclear talksReuters - 2 hours 14 minutes ago
Pakistani Taliban withdraws from key valleyReuters - 2 hours 15 minutes ago
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Tigers resisting calls to surrender: S.Lanka military
Fertility doctor on brink of cloning human: report
Obama vows reform of credit card market
Downturn hits Elton John, Paul McCartney
Charred meat linked to pancreatic cancer risk
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 Friday, 24 April 2009 Heavy army presence chafes in Mexico drug war city
| International
|
Iran warns U.N.'s Ban against double standards
| International
|
Somalia wins funds, opposition leader vows unity
| International
|
Italy police nab Germans who left kids at pizzeria
| International
|
Microsoft profit falls, sees more weakness
| Technology
|
IBM plans cloud computing services for 2009
| Technology
|
Yahoo pulls the plug on GeoCities
| Technology
|
German GEMA in talks with YouTube on video dispute
| Technology
|
Beyonce says definitely wants Broadway role
| Entertainment
|
Woody Allen returns to NY to open Tribeca festival
| Entertainment
|
Idol Anoop Desai ditches grad school for music
| Entertainment
|
Heart, Bedingfield perform at ASCAP pop awards
| Entertainment
|
Tribeca film examines Cuba's lost son of baseball
| Entertainment
|
ELO rocker Jeff Lynne working slowly on solo album
| Entertainment
|
South Africans celebrate as Zuma, ANC lead poll
| International
|
Suicide attacks kill 76 in Iraq
Pakistani Taliban says withdrawing from Buner
| International
|
Blasts kill 78 in Iraq's bloodiest day in a year
Suicide attacks kill 76 as Iraq reports arrest
| International
|
AP IMPACT: Secret tally has 87,215 Iraqis dead
Venezuela says Interpol has warrant for Chavez foe
| International
|
Gas summit in Sofia despite Putin boycott
Iraq says Qaeda boss captured as dozens killed
Page Not Found |
Tigers resisting calls to surrender: S.Lanka military
Page Not Found |
US shares 'common purpose' at G8 climate talks
France to close squatter camp for migrants
Thailand lifts emergency, seeks charter revamp
| International
|
Obama vows reform of credit card market
Real estate downturn boosts Morocco slum clearance
| International
|
IOC says London 2012 venues 'on right track'
China confirms Japan summit, downplays shrine row
| International
|
Credit Suisse ends losing streak in first quarter
Peru's Fujimori appeals human rights conviction
| International
|
Fiat posts losses, rules out Chrysler investment
US home sales drop 3%
US shares 'common purpose' at G8 climate talks
US delivers message of urgency on climate change
Blagojevich comes to L.A. to plug reality show
Boom times ahead for mobile Web access
Ashley Judd urges Congress to fight global warming
Mom accused of killing child after fake kidnapping
YouTube lets users see what friends are watching
Microsoft cuts costs, says Windows 7 on track
| Technology
|
Ex-Nazi guard fit to be deported: US officials
Taiwan says to spend $1.33 bln on green energy
Microsoft profits dive 32 pct to $3 bln dollars
3 small quakes rattle California's Orange County
Cost cuts help tech giants ride out weak economy
ACLU: Pentagon to release images of prisoner abuse
Cost cuts help tech giants ride out weak economy
| Technology
|
Amazon net profit up, Kindle sales praised
Turkmenistan defends right to diversify gas exports
Apple apologizes for iPhone 'Baby Shaker' game
Recent Justice Dept. videos show Demjanjuk walking
abandoning GeoCities
Donors raise $213 mln for Somalia: communique
Israel risks losing Arab support against Iran: Clinton
Yahoo pulls the plug on GeoCities
Russia ready to slash nuclear arsenal: general
Mich. men charged with burning buttocks of boy, 6
More red ink for McClatchy
Boy suspect's family blames 7-year-old in death
German GEMA in talks with YouTube on video dispute
Calif. approves nation's 1st low-carbon fuel rules
Nokia CEO: too early to call bottom of phone demand
Bomb in Afghan capital kills police officer
Japan pop star freed after arrest over indecency
Taiwan's president upbeat ahead of China talks
Taiwan and China to increase economic cooperation
2 US journalists set to stand trial in N. Korea
An Error has occured |
'No need' for nuke talks, NKorea tells Russia
Beyonce thriller Obsessed leads new releases
| Entertainment
|
Thai prime minister lifts state of emergency
US Marine leaves Philippines after rape acquittal
Land mine blast kills 5 polling officials in India
Elton John, McCartney hit by economic crisis: rich list
| Entertainment
|
JAL, ANA say may scrap fuel surcharges
Pressure grows on S.Lanka for ceasefire with rebels
Twilight role at stake in German reality show
| Entertainment
|
Samsung says first quarter profit plummets
Battle of the Bulge director Annakin dies at 94
| Entertainment
|
Oz Minerals sells Indonesian gold, silver project
HSBC closes equity business in Japan
Tarantino back in Cannes with Almodovar, Campion
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares retreat as Samsung Elec, Hynix fall
South Korea stimulus puts recession on hold
Pakistani c.bank sells 15 bln rupees of T-bills
Toyota's incoming president to race Lexus
G7, G20 meet to 'follow-up' on London summit
"Twilight" role at stake in German reality show
Kia Motors reports $73 mln net profit for Q1
Reggaeton star Flex wins 8 Latin Billboards
List of key winners at 40th Annual Dove Awards
Chapman wins artist of the year at gospel awards
Beyonce thriller "Obsessed" leads new releases
Miss Calif. receives strong support at Dove Awards
Jay Leno misses first "Tonight Show" in 17 years
3rd 'Twilight' film director selected
Indian police end probe of 'Slumdog' star's dad
"Battle of the Bulge" director Annakin dies at 94
Twin suicide attacks kill 55 near Baghdad shrine
North Korea to boycott nuclear talks: Russia
| International
|
Russia's Medvedev sacks military spy chief
| International
|
Toll from bombs at Baghdad shrine reaches 60 dead
Downturn hits Elton John, Paul McCartney
Left to win vote in crisis-hit Iceland
| International
|
Baghdad shrine blast kills 30
UK economy shrinks at fastest rate since 1979
US seeking Chrysler bankruptcy plan: reports
India presses for Sri Lanka truce as casualties rise
| International
|
No talks unless peacekeepers quit Somalia: opposition
| International
|
Pillay blasts disinformation around U.N. race meeting
| International
|
Former VP Gore endorses House global-warming bill
Microsoft still sees potential in Yahoo partnership
| Technology
|
Former VP Gore endorses House global-warming bill
Rocky start for fledgling online news ventures
SC wildfire may accelerate after overnight calm
NY adviser indicted in $413 million Ponzi scheme
Deadly outbreak of swine flu in US, Mexico
Stocks open higher as Ford results top view
Thieves steal Mass. Little League's equipment
Russia sacks military intelligence chief
US worried about recent Taliban moves in Pakistan
Ford posts $1.4 billion 1Q loss, burns less cash
World Bank: Globe bracing for more poverty
Home Depot garden center becomes young owl's home
Elton John, McCartney hit by economic crisis: rich list
| Entertainment
|
Japan pop star free after naked arrest
Paintings attributed to Hitler fetch $143,000
| Entertainment
|
North Korea to boycott nuclear talks
No concessions to Pakistan militants: army chief
Malaysia vows action on Myanmar human trafficking
Thais who rioted last week call for new protests
Land mine blast kills 5 during India's elections
Thai PM lifts emergency rule ahead of new protest
NZ climate scientist fired for unapproved comments
Group says China's new postal law restricts market
Thailand lifts state of emergency
Pakistani stocks rally, heartened by Taliban retreat
Macau casino operator Galaxy posts $1.5 bln loss
Japan's Nomura posts record $7.3 bln loss
Taiwan's AU plans T$0.3/share cash dividend
'Madden NFL 10' to cover Polamalu, Fitzgerald
Cathay: 70 pct of staff join unpaid leave scheme
Scottish singing sensation gets dye job, makeover
China reports 76 percent increase in gold reserves
Paintings attributed to Hitler fetch $143,000
Leonard Nimoy open to more 'Star Trek'
Seoul court accepts KIKO suspension suits vs banks
Latin America in spotlight at Cannes Critics' Week
Taiwan dlr at 2-wk high on fund inflows, U.S. pressure
BBC sends `Ethical Man' on global warming quest
Grammy for 'Big Bad John' survives Dean home fire
Hong Kong architect gets 24 rooms into one tiny flat
Indonesian volcano spews lava and ash into the sky
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