[Straits Times] THAILAND'S embattled premier declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Wednesday after protesters stormed parliament in a dramatic escalation of their bid to topple the government.Another would-be dictator trying to edge back into power. Given his way, Thailand will become Burma...
Lawmakers fled and several senior government figures were airlifted by military helicopter after red-shirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra forced their way into the country's parliamentary compound.
In an effort to contain the crisis, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva invoked emergency rule, which bans public gatherings of more than five people and gives broad powers to the police and military. 'The state of emergency aims to resolve the situation and bring a return to normal,' Abhisit told a nationally televised press conference.
He said the mass rallies were unconstitutional and had tarnished the country's image, eroding investor confidence.
It is the fourth time since 2008 that emergency law has been declared in the capital because of political turmoil. Mr Abhisit left a cabinet meeting at parliament when he learnt that the Reds were approaching, moving to a military barracks in the city's northern outskirts, where he has mostly been based since the protests began mid-March.
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have refused to leave Bangkok's main commercial district, where they have been since Saturday, disrupting traffic and causing major shopping centres to shut. The red-clad movement remained defiant, vowing to keep up their action.