"The cabinet has agreed to lift the emergency rule in Bangkok and surrounding provinces."
Seven months after deadly crackdown on anti-government “Red Shirts” protests, Thailand announced on Tuesday it would lift an emergency rule in the capital Bangkok and three neighboring areas.
"The cabinet has agreed to lift the emergency rule in Bangkok and surrounding provinces effective Wednesday," government spokesman Suphachai Jaismut told AFP.
The controversial laws were introduced in the capital in early April in response to mass rallies by the Red Shirts that ultimately left more than 90 people dead in clashes between demonstrators and the army.
Thailand's decision to end emergency rule comes as the Reds have promised to step up a new wave of street rallies, with meetings in the capital twice a month.
Despite ban on gathering for more than five people, a demonstration on December 19 marking seven months since the crackdown on the protests attracted around 10,000 people.
But Suphachai said the current situation was peaceful and the government did not expect a resurgence of unrest in the near future.
“The political rallies recently were more symbolic, the Red Shirts have learned their lesson after they used violence," he said.
The mainly poor and working class “Reds” accuses the government of being undemocratic elite and was campaigning for immediate elections in their April and May demonstration.
Most of their leaders are now in jail facing terrorism charges or in hiding.
"The cabinet has agreed to lift the emergency rule in Bangkok and surrounding provinces effective Wednesday," government spokesman Suphachai Jaismut told AFP.
The controversial laws were introduced in the capital in early April in response to mass rallies by the Red Shirts that ultimately left more than 90 people dead in clashes between demonstrators and the army.
Thailand's decision to end emergency rule comes as the Reds have promised to step up a new wave of street rallies, with meetings in the capital twice a month.
Despite ban on gathering for more than five people, a demonstration on December 19 marking seven months since the crackdown on the protests attracted around 10,000 people.
But Suphachai said the current situation was peaceful and the government did not expect a resurgence of unrest in the near future.
“The political rallies recently were more symbolic, the Red Shirts have learned their lesson after they used violence," he said.
The mainly poor and working class “Reds” accuses the government of being undemocratic elite and was campaigning for immediate elections in their April and May demonstration.
Most of their leaders are now in jail facing terrorism charges or in hiding.
