Asia-Pacific

Thai PM says not time to declare emergency law

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-03 20:19

HUA HIN, Thailand - It is not time to use the emergency law to control the situation, but if the situation requires, the government will talk about it, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said here Saturday afternoon.

Thai PM says not time to declare emergency law

Supporters of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra rally in Bangkok April 3, 2010. Red-shirted protesters have been rallying on the streets in Bangkok's old quarters for nearly three weeks, calling for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and hold fresh elections. Negotiations have so far failed to end the impasse after the protesters demanded the government dissolve in nine months, calling for Abhisit to leave office in 15 days. [Agencies]

The authorities are negotiating and using other means instead of using the forces to normal the situation as soon as possible, the prime minister told a press briefing after meeting with security officials.

"I have followed the development all the day and the demonstrators' activities (of blocking several roads in Bangkok) has surpassed the framework of constitution because the public has suffered a lot from it," he said.

On Saturday morning, the red-shirted protesters have begun two processions of march with one group march to central Bangkok to oust the government while the second would move along the Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

Several shopping malls nearby the rally site at intersection have temporarily closed and traffic has been largely affected.

Tens of thousands of red-shirted people, many of them supporters of the ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, have stormed into Bangkok since March 12, demanding the prime minister to dissolve the lower House of parliament to pave the way for a new general election.