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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Bangkok under state of emergency | Bangkok under state of emergency |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok and surrounding areas, a day after protests cancelled a major Asian summit. | Thai authorities have declared a state of emergency in the capital Bangkok and surrounding areas, a day after protests cancelled a major Asian summit. |
| The announcement came as protesters broke into the interior ministry and attacked a car they thought was carrying PM Abhisit Vejjajiva. | |
| But the PM is believed to have escaped unhurt earlier. Soldiers fired warning shots, but did not stop the protesters. | |
| Tanks and soldiers were later seen patrolling the streets of Bangkok. | |
| Strong measures | Strong measures |
| "The government has tried all along to avoid violence but the protest has developed and they have used actions incompatible with the constitution," Mr Abhisit said in his televised speech. | |
| Protesters have surrounded the courts and government offices in Bangkok | |
| "Now the government is unable to avoid this state of emergency," he added. | "Now the government is unable to avoid this state of emergency," he added. |
| Anti-government protesters have been blocking access to key government offices in the capital for the past week, and have vowed to keep up the pressure until Mr Abhisit resigns. | |
| One of the leaders of the protests was arrested after the PM vowed to prosecute them. | |
| Arisman Pongruengrong, who spearheaded the protests by supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was arrested after returning to Bangkok on Sunday. | |
| The collapse of the summit was a huge embarrassment to Mr Abhisit and he has promised strong measures to restore order, the BBC's Jonathan Head says in Bangkok. | |
| Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored, and the army can be deployed to to help police maintain order. | Under the state of emergency, gatherings of more than five people can be banned, media reports can be censored, and the army can be deployed to to help police maintain order. |
| 'Real change' | |
| Last year, the government imposed a state of emergency on several occasions, but the army refused to enact the measures. | Last year, the government imposed a state of emergency on several occasions, but the army refused to enact the measures. |
| PM Abhisit says the emergency is meant to restore order | |
| It is unclear if the army will be prepared to take action this time around. | It is unclear if the army will be prepared to take action this time around. |
| The state of emergency was last used to crack down on yellow-shirted protesters who had laid siege to Bangkok's airports last November. | The state of emergency was last used to crack down on yellow-shirted protesters who had laid siege to Bangkok's airports last November. |
| The crisis eventually led to Mr Abhisit's government taking over from allies of Thaksin. | The crisis eventually led to Mr Abhisit's government taking over from allies of Thaksin. |
| Our correspondent in Bangkok says the problem for PM Abhisit is that he rode to power on the back of protests that were just as illegal, and may look hypocritical if he only goes after the red-shirted protesters who embarrassed him. | |
| Pre-summit street protests in the capital this week drew up to 100,000 people. | Pre-summit street protests in the capital this week drew up to 100,000 people. |
| Mr Thaksin himself, who remains in self-imposed exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption, has welcomed the protest in Pattaya. | Mr Thaksin himself, who remains in self-imposed exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption, has welcomed the protest in Pattaya. |
| "I thank the Red Shirts in Pattaya who showed strength," he told a rally of supporters in Bangkok by telephone late on Saturday. "In the next few days we will see real change." | "I thank the Red Shirts in Pattaya who showed strength," he told a rally of supporters in Bangkok by telephone late on Saturday. "In the next few days we will see real change." |
| Officials say months of turmoil have lost the country $6bn in tourist revenue, just as the economy is taking a hit from collapsing exports. | Officials say months of turmoil have lost the country $6bn in tourist revenue, just as the economy is taking a hit from collapsing exports. |
| Are you in Bangkok What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Bangkok What are your experiences? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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