This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8015633.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Thailand lifts Bangkok emergency | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has lifted a two-week-old state of emergency in and around the country's capital, Bangkok. | |
| The rules were put in place when violent anti-government protests forced the cancellation of a major regional summit in the south of the country. | The rules were put in place when violent anti-government protests forced the cancellation of a major regional summit in the south of the country. |
| Two people died and more than 100 were injured in clashes two weeks ago, which brought the capital to a standstill. | Two people died and more than 100 were injured in clashes two weeks ago, which brought the capital to a standstill. |
| The red-shirted protesters were calling for Mr Abhisit to stand down. | The red-shirted protesters were calling for Mr Abhisit to stand down. |
| Large numbers of protestors had defied the state of emergency, blocking roads, disrupting traffic and clashing with police and local residents. | Large numbers of protestors had defied the state of emergency, blocking roads, disrupting traffic and clashing with police and local residents. |
| Speaking at a special parliamentary session in the early hours of Friday morning, Mr Abhisit said: "Today, the government will lift the emergency decree in Bangkok and surrounding areas". | Speaking at a special parliamentary session in the early hours of Friday morning, Mr Abhisit said: "Today, the government will lift the emergency decree in Bangkok and surrounding areas". |
| He said doing so was "part of measures to find a solution for the country" and to help find reconciliation between the yellow-shirted pro-government supporters and their red-shirted rivals. | He said doing so was "part of measures to find a solution for the country" and to help find reconciliation between the yellow-shirted pro-government supporters and their red-shirted rivals. |
| "The government wants to show its sincerity, that the government wants reconciliation and to make the country move forwards," said Mr Abhisit. | "The government wants to show its sincerity, that the government wants reconciliation and to make the country move forwards," said Mr Abhisit. |
| New tactics | New tactics |
| The anti-government protesters from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) say Mr Abhisit's government is illegitimate, and are calling for fresh elections. | The anti-government protesters from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) say Mr Abhisit's government is illegitimate, and are calling for fresh elections. |
| The red shirts are demanding that fresh elections are held | The red shirts are demanding that fresh elections are held |
| Many of them also want to see the return to Thai politics of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and is still living overseas. | Many of them also want to see the return to Thai politics of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and is still living overseas. |
| The red shirts began their three-week protest in March, with a sit-in at government buildings. | The red shirts began their three-week protest in March, with a sit-in at government buildings. |
| But the demonstrations escalated and there were violent scenes on the streets of Bangkok in which more than 100 people were injured and two people died. | But the demonstrations escalated and there were violent scenes on the streets of Bangkok in which more than 100 people were injured and two people died. |
| Mr Abhisit was forced to cancel a summit of leaders of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean), scheduled to be held in the coastal resort of Pattaya, after protesters broke into the venue. | Mr Abhisit was forced to cancel a summit of leaders of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean), scheduled to be held in the coastal resort of Pattaya, after protesters broke into the venue. |
| Several national leaders had to be airlifted from the area. | Several national leaders had to be airlifted from the area. |
| The protest leaders ended the demonstrations on 14 April after thousands of troops were moved into the area. | The protest leaders ended the demonstrations on 14 April after thousands of troops were moved into the area. |
| The UDD said they wanted to avoid any more casualties but vowed that their campaign would continue. | The UDD said they wanted to avoid any more casualties but vowed that their campaign would continue. |
| Three days later, a prominent leader of the pro-government yellow shirts, Sondhi Limthongkul, was shot and injured in an apparent assassination attempt. | Three days later, a prominent leader of the pro-government yellow shirts, Sondhi Limthongkul, was shot and injured in an apparent assassination attempt. |
| Three UDD leaders are being held in custody after the protests, but on Tuesday another leader, speaking to the BBC from hiding, said the movement would now change its tactics. | Three UDD leaders are being held in custody after the protests, but on Tuesday another leader, speaking to the BBC from hiding, said the movement would now change its tactics. |
| Jakrapob Penkair said the UDD would consider possible armed attacks. | Jakrapob Penkair said the UDD would consider possible armed attacks. |