14 DAY TRIAL // Thailand has just announced an official two-month state of emergency in the country's capital city, Bangkok, and in several neighboring provinces as protests reached incredibly violent actions and led to the death of nine people and hundreds more injured.
Since November, the country has been ransacked by anti-government demonstrations and violent actions against officials. From damaging properties to chasing the prime minister out of her home, protesters have been engaging in several aggressive moves against current leaders.
Last week the peaceful protest turned into panic when two explosions rocked the premises and gave officials no other choice than to take extreme measures. The state of emergency will begin today in an attempt to regain control of the mass demonstrations in the streets.
The police will now be allowed to inflict censorship on the media, close off parts of the city and impose curfews on the people. Also, suspects can be arrested without charge and political gatherings of more than five people must be prevented.
Foreigners were instructed to stay away from the protest sites and avoid all demonstrations or large gatherings in order to protect their own safety. Travel alerts were issued in order to warn foreigners planning on going to Thailand about the unpredictable situation of the ongoing protests.
Angered by the decree, protesters call their actions the “Bangkok shutdown” and opposition leaders warned officials that, despite their attempt to control the masses, the demonstrations will not stop.
People in the streets are chanting for the end of the corrupt regime that only managed to fill the pockets of already wealthy and corrupt officials.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra states that the government is trying to reinstate peace in the country by following international practices and using the new established Center for Maintaining Peace and Order, notes Daily Mail.
Protesters are demanding Yingluck's resignation and despite her call for elections on February 2, the citizens are not willing to give up. They are requesting a new government to fight against corruption and are accusing the state of emergency of violating their human rights.