Executive decree imposed in Bangkok, some surrounding areas

BANGKOK, January 21 (TNA) - Thailand's caretaker government has decided to impose the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations in all areas in Bangkok and some areas in the capital's peripheral provinces. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul announced on Tuesday evening that the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations will be imposed in all districts in Bangkok and certain areas in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan Provinces for two months, effective from January 22, 2014. According to the caretaker deputy prime minister, the move is aimed to maintain order amid ongoing domestic political protests. Earlier in the day, Thai authorities concerned were considering whether the domestic political situation justifies the imposition of the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations. National Police Chief Police General Adul Saengsingkaew told journalists that he was evaluating the updated situation relating to prolonged demonstrations of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), before deciding whether the Royal Thai Police should propose the caretaker government to enforce the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations in certain areas. According to the national police chief, if the situation was likely to turn violent, the imposition of the executive decree would be necessary. PDRC protesters have blocked Bangkok roads at seven locations for nine days, with the number of its supporters at each location remaining high despite a series of violent incidents recently. The PDRC demonstrators have also continued laying siege to several government offices in the capital, including Silom and Charoen Krung. On Tuesday morning, PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban led demonstrators from the Lumpini public park in a march to continue persuading the general people to join their protest to oust the Yingluck Shinawatra caretaker government and to get rid of the “regime” of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the caretaker prime minister and defence minister's elder brother. The PDRC protesters have demanded an interim government to work out a domestic reform before the new general election. In the Thai South, PDRC demonstrators have, meanwhile, continued blocking access to local government offices, including the government complex of Songkhla and Phatthalung Provinces. Phatthalung Governor Seri Srihatrai said PDRC protesters have blocked officials from working at 30 government offices for two weeks, forcing some officials who have urgent jobs to work online from their homes, while, secondary schools in the province have been ordered to close for three days.(TNA)