Thai prime minister lifts curfew imposed after Bangkok violence; state of emergency remains

Thai PM lifts curfew, keeps state of emergency

BANGKOK — Thailand’s prime minister lifted a nighttime curfew in Bangkok and other areas on Saturday, saying that order has been restored 10 days after a violent confrontation with anti-government protesters killed more than a dozen people and left parts of the capital in flames.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, however, said a state of emergency would remain in force until security officials determined that it was safe to lift it. The emergency decree, imposed more than a month ago, curtails some civil liberties and makes it easier to deploy the military to keep the peace.

Abhisit, who spoke at a press conference for foreign journalists, also said he would not rule out an election before the end of his government’s term late next year, though it would be “difficult” to hold the polls this year.

His aide, Sirichoke Sopha, said the 10-night-old curfew was being lifted in Bangkok and 23 other provinces because there were no more fears of immediate flare-ups from anti-government “Red Shirt” protesters who occupied the heart of Bangkok for weeks in demonstrations that ended May 19 in a military crackdown.

Concerns have also been raised about the economic impact of the curfew on local businesses.

The curfew was imposed after the crackdown dispersed thousands of the anti-government protesters from their barricaded camp in one of Bangkok’s most upscale shopping and tourist districts. Militants afterward went on a spree of destruction, attempting to burn down more than 30 buildings, including the country’s stock exchange and largest shopping mall.

The military operation and the subsequent riots killed more than a dozen people and injured nearly 200. All told, 88 people — most of them protesters — died in street clashes, mysterious grenade attacks and sniper fire during the protests, which started peacefully more than two months ago.

Officials say the Red Shirt movement, which wants Abhisit to resign and call early elections, is not over and is regrouping. But no significant violence has been reported in Bangkok after troops forced the end of the protests and cleaned up sporadic resistance.

Abhisit, whose public statements at the beginning of the crisis were terse and infrequent, spoke confidently for an hour in defending his government’s handling of the crisis and outlining its plans for moving forward. He discussed in detail accusations that the military used inappropriate force in quelling the protest.

“It has always been our policy to seek a peaceful resolution of the problem and exercise utmost restraint,” he said, explaining that his main goal was always minimal loss of life.

Critics have accused the army of shooting unarmed demonstrators, including medical workers. The government blames armed elements among the demonstrators for many of the casualties, but has promised a full, independent investigation.

He stressed that the authorities sought to “separate extremist elements from the ordinary people,” among the Red Shirts, saying the majority of the protesters were not tied to the violence and had legitimate grievances.

“It’s unfortunate that a small group of people caused such trouble,” he said.

Abhisit vowed to stick with a reconciliation plan he offered the demonstrators during the protest that he said would address their grievances, including unfair media coverage and economic injustice.

“Reconciliation will never be achieved unless we can successfully reach out to those people,” he said. “What I would like to say to them is, they are entitled to different opinions and to have space … to express those opinions, but please refrain from anything that could lead to violence and destruction.”

Abhisit had previously also offered to hold an election in November this year, an offer he withdrew after the Red Shirts refused to end their protest without more concessions from the government.

He said Saturday that he would not rule out early polls, but that “obviously, it’s a lot more difficult now to hold elections before the end of the year,” than had they been agreed upon earlier.

He said he had no objection to early elections if they serve a purpose, “if such elections could reconcile differences in a stable, peaceful manner and … the election results and the application of the laws covering the elections will be accepted.”

On Saturday, the Thai capital had returned to its usual bustle, with the streets crowded with cars and the subway and elevated train systems running.

“It’s good I can travel back home at night because I work a night shift,” said Boonmee Harbroab, a 49-year-old security guard.

Most of the Red Shirt leaders have been detained or have submitted to questioning, leaving the movement disorganized.

Still, intelligence officials have information suggesting protesters have moved underground and could be planning violent retaliation in their strongholds in the north and northeast of the country, said assistant army spokeswoman Lt. Siriya Khuengsirikul.

Siriya said the army is confident it can stop any outbreaks of renewed violence, and that the increased military watch was a precautionary measure.

Additional reporting by Eric Talmadge in Bangkok, and research by Thaweeporn Kummetha.