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Bangkok under state of emergency Troops in Thai emergency patrols
(about 1 hour 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. Soldiers and tanks have appeared in Bangkok after Thai authorities declared a state of emergency, a day after protests cancelled a major Asia summit.
The announcement came as protesters broke into the interior ministry and attacked a car they thought was carrying PM Abhisit Vejjajiva. But red-shirted protesters managed to break into the interior ministry from where the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made the announcement.
But the PM is believed to have escaped unhurt earlier. Soldiers fired warning shots, but did not stop the protesters. They attacked a car they thought was carrying Mr Abhisit, but the PM is said to have escaped unhurt earlier.
Tanks and soldiers were later seen patrolling the streets of Bangkok. The protesters have been demanding the resignation of the prime minister.
Strong measures Anti-government protesters have been blocking access to key government offices in the capital for the past week, but 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.
"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.
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.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.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. 'Incompatible' actions
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.
Announcing the measure in a televised speech, Mr Abhisit said: "The government has tried all along to avoid violence but the protest has developed and they have used actions incompatible with the constitution.
PM Abhisit says the emergency is meant to restore order
"Now the government is unable to avoid this state of emergency," he added.
But protesters have continued roaming around the streets. Reports say they have taken over two army vehicles.
Earlier, there were chaotic scenes at the interior ministry, where protesters forced their way into the building as Mr Abhisit was delivering a televised address to announce the state of emergency.
They then attacked a car they thought was carrying the prime minister, hitting it with sticks and concrete slabs and throwing rocks and furniture at it.
Soldiers fired warning shots as red-shirted protesters stormed the ministry, but initially made no attempt to stop them.
'Real change''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.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.
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