Thailand's Caretaker PM to testify on emergency decree imposition

BANGKOK, January 31 (TNA) - Thailand's Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister has been summoned by Bangkok's Civil Court for a testimony, set on February 6, 2014, on a case filed by a core leader of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) over her caretaker government's imposition of the emergency decree in all areas in Bangkok and some areas in adjacent provinces last week. Bangkok's Civil Court on Thursday accepted a petition lodged by the PDRC core leader, Thavorn Senneam, to seek its order for the withdrawal of the 60-day emergency decree enforced since January 22. Caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who is also Director of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) and National Police Chief Adul Saengsingkaew have also been summoned for the February 6 testimony over the same case. Meanwhile, business operators at the Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok called for the caretaker government to shorten its imposition of the emergency decree. The call was aired by Chai Srivikorn, President of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association, pointing out that the enforcement of the emergency decree has resulted in a plung of tourists' spending on credit cards, as insurance does not cover any untoward incident. Chai acknowledged that daily incomes of local businesses have dropped by 60 per cent since demonstrations started at Ratchaprasong intersection on Jan 13, 2014, from about 280 million baht, and the business operators have asked demonstrators to end their activities in the business area as soon as possible but to no avail. According to the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association's chief the number of electric train passengers who visit Ratchaprasong area has also fallen from about 30,000 to 20,000 daily and the hotel occupancy rate has initially dropped from 85-90 per cent to 20 per cent, while incomes of local restaurants have dropped by 60 per cent.(TNA)