Armed soldiers deployed across Bangkok
Posted: 12 April 2009 1711 hrs

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BANGKOK : Armed soldiers have been deployed across Bangkok and surrounding areas to enforce a state of emergency declared by Thailand's premier, an army spokesman told AFP on Sunday.

"A combined force of army, navy and air force has been deployed to secure public buildings, intersections and public transportation at 50 spots in Bangkok and its surroundings," Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told AFP.

"They are armed and we have also deployed armoured cars because protesters have used taxis to block the road," he said.

An AFP reporter witnessed a tank and soldiers standing by on a road in central Bangkok close to government buildings.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced a state of emergency an hour earlier covering Bangkok and surrounding areas after anti-government protests forced the cancellation of a regional summit at a Thai beach resort.

Minutes after his announcement, an AFP reporter saw gunshots fired into the air outside the interior ministry in Bangkok where 6,000 protesters had gathered to push Abhisit to resign.

Authorities did not say how long the emergency measure would be in place.

It bans public gatherings of more than five people and empowers police and military to detain suspects for between seven and 30 days without charge.

Officials can also enforce strict controls on media and all other forms of communication.

It is the third time a state of emergency has been called in the capital since September 2008.

Abhisit also called a state of emergency in Pattaya on Saturday so Asian leaders could evacuate the summit. The measure was lifted later in the day. - AFP/ms