PM to consider lifting curfew

BANGKOK, May 28 (TNA) –  Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he is awaiting assessments of the situation in the capital and the provinces from concerned agencies before deciding whether or not to lift the curfew.

He said it can be lifted if security officials say that they can control the situation. However, due to some reports on anti-government Red Shirt movement, it needed to consider in which areas the curfew should continue or be lifted.

The government is not careless, Mr Abhisit said, and it also realises that the public want their lives to return to normal. Public safety is the government’s priority, he emphasised.

Most people may not be affected by a curfew imposed from midnight to 4am but some groups of people are affected. The government must consider that. However, enforcement of the emergency decree will continue in place and he cannot tell how long it will remain in effect. Some protesters said they will renew their movement when the emergency decree is revoked.

Asked about the impact on the country’s image, the prime minister said he believed tourists will consider the actual situation rather than look into the enforcement of a special law.

Speaking about the attempt to seek the extradition of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr Abhisit said it is in the process of seeking cooperation from Interpol, conceding extradition will be more difficult if he becomes a citizen of Montenegro although it will not have an effect on prosecution by Thai authorities.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who heads the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES), said the CRES will inform the public on Friday night or Saturday morning whether to extend the curfew in Bangkok and  23 provinces or not.

Security agencies will assess the situation and advise the prime minister on Friday evening regarding the decision.

The curfew has been imposed since May 19 when rioters set fires on nearly 40 locations in Bangkok and some city halls in the provinces after military operations forced the anti-government protest leaders  to end their six-week long demonstration at the Ratchaprasong business area.

The curfew hours were shortened to four hours from midnight to 4am and will expire on Saturday at 4am.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai court on Friday issued arrest warrants for four more suspects in the May 19 arson and unrest at the governor’s residence and asset damage.

The additional four accused, including three men and one woman, were charged with damaging public assets.

Following the arson of the governor’s residence and fire engines as well as asset damage, the court earlier issued warrants for 13 suspects, many of whom remain at large. But one person was arrested, identified as a 17-year-old youth. (TNA)