Thailand lifts emergency

THAILAND: Thailand Friday revoked a state of emergency in three northeastern provinces, but maintained the controversial laws in Bangkok, where there has been a series of minor blasts in recent weeks.

The Thai Government has come under pressure from the United States and rights groups to roll back the emergency powers to help the country recover from deadly civil unrest that has left it deeply divided.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva lifted the decree in Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani — the northeastern stronghold of the “Red Shirt” opposition movement behind huge protests in Bangkok in April and May. “It’s effective immediately,” Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn told AFP. The decree was introduced in the capital in early April in response to mass anti-Government rallies by the “Red Shirt” movement that ultimately left 91 people dead in clashes between protesters and the army.

The laws, which ban public gatherings of more than five people and give security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge, remain in place in Bangkok and nearby, in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan. BANGKOK, Friday, AFP