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Thai capital in state of emergency

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-12 16:09

BANGKOK -- Thailand has imposed a state of emergency in its capital, Bangkok, and surrounding areas.

Supporters of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra push navy soldiers guarding outside the venue of the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Pattaya April 10, 2009. [Agencies]

The action by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva comes a day after anti-government protesters swarmed into a hotel hosting an Asian summit, forcing its cancellation.

Related readings:  Asia summit canceled; Thai protesters storm venue  Thailand declares emergency, cancels Asian summit  Thai police arrest summit protest leader  Thai PM declares lifting of state of emergency in Pattaya  Thai gov't evacuate leaders after ASEAN summits canceled

The protesters, who are seeking Abhisit's resignation, also blocked a major Bangkok intersection for several days last week, disrupting traffic.

The decree bans gatherings of more than five people and forbids reporting that is considered threatening to public order.

Abhisit imposed a state of emergency after a 16-nation Asian summit was overrun, but revoked it six hours later after regional leaders were safely airlifted to a nearby military airport.

The country's political tension has simmered since former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was removed by a military coup in 2006. Thaksin opponents marched last year to remove Thaksin's allies from power, even shutting down the country's main international airport for about a week in November. After a court ordered the removal of the previous pro-Thaksin government, Abhisit was appointed by Parliament in December, sparking Thaksin supportors to take to the streets.