Deputy PM Suthep: Government mulls curfew extension in some areas

BANGKOK, May 24 (TNA) – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Monday said the Cabinet may consider extending the curfew in some areas when it meets Tuesday as the anti-government “underground movement” is still active and plans to cause chaos despite the end of Red Shirt protest at Ratchaprasong and the surrender of protest leaders.

Mr Suthep, as director of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES), commented as schools and businesses reopened after a week-long closure due to violent clashes between troops and Red Shirt protesters as well as widespread arson and grenade attacks in the capital after Red Shirt leaders surrendered to police.

The deputy prime minister also entered Government House for the first day after the situation returns to comparative normalcy. CRES, earlier located at the 11th Infantry Regiment, is now at Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Nok, near Government House.

The CRES director said he has instructed the authorities to closely monitor the moves of the underground groups.

CRES on Sunday extended the curfew through Sunday and Monday nights, but it was relaxed banning people in Bangkok and 23 other provinces from leaving their homes only from 11pm to 4am.

A curfew was imposed in Bangkok and other provinces on May 19 between 8pm to 6am to allow security to handle the situation and distinguish innocent people from the agitators.

Regarding the disappearance of key Red Shirt leaders Arisman Pongruangrong and Suporn Attawong, the CRES director said both are still at large, but reportedly still in Thailand.

Top Red Shirt leaders, Veera Musikapong, Jatuporn Prompan, Natthawut Saikua, Weng Tojirakarn, Kwanchai Praipana and Korkaew Pikulthong, surrendered to police last Wednesday as troops approached their Ratchaprasong stronghold.

Mr Arisman and Mr Suporn however fled from the protest site. Concerned authorities are now tracking them.

Meanwhile, schools in Bangkok opened for the new semester Monday, one week later than the earlier scheduled May 17 date, amid tight security.

However, 32 schools delayed their openings to May 31. Education Minister Chinaworn Boonyakiat said most closed schools are located near the Red Shirt former rally site and areas hit by arsons and grenade attacks.

Mr Chinaworn said the education ministry will on Monday afternoon assess school openings in terms of security measures and teaching requirements. (TNA)