Thailand likely to end emergency rule in six areas: minister

BANGKOK, Thursday 29 July 2010 (AFP) – The Thai government is likely to lift emergency rule in six more provinces, but not Bangkok, because of easing concerns about possible political unrest, the defence minister said Thursday.

Prawit Wongsuwon said the strict laws were expected to be revoked in Chonburi, Ayutthaya, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan and Chaiyaphum in central and northeast Thailand on the advice of security officials.

“I expect the prime minister will agree to lift the state of emergency in those six provinces because all security officials reached a consensus,” Prawit told AFP.

“All of the state security agencies … said there is little political movement in these provinces,” he said.

Last week Thailand ended emergency rule in three provinces.

MySinchew