The government was forced to cancel the summits schedule and declared a state of emergency over Pattaya, and later lifted it after protesters retreated to Bangkok, claiming victory over the cancellation of summits.
On Sunday, citing danger of escalating violence, Abhisit imposed the emergency decree over Bangkok and surrounding areas.
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Anti-government protestors smash a car of security guards of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva inside the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 12, 2009. Red-shirted protestors forced into the Interior Ministry on Sunday, soon after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts in five nearby provinces. [Xinhua]
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Some rumors even had the suspicion that a military coup might be launched to take over the power from the Abhisit government.
Abhisit said police and soldiers have been deployed around Bangkok to keep things under control.
The next three to four days will be crucial, during which people will see "real change" of situation, said Abhisit. The government will prove its capability by bringing law and order back to the country by taking tougher measures against the protests.
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Thai soliders stand guard as anti-government protestors block a road in front of the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, on April 12, 2009. Red-shirted protestors forced into the Interior Ministry on Sunday, soon after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts in five nearby provinces. [Xinhua]
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As a proof of the tougher measures the government promised to use, Abhisit announced that the Pattaya court has issued arrest warrants for the five core leaders of the red-shirted group United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). One of the leaders, Arisamun Pongruangrong, was already in custody, on charges of inciting violence and creating disorder in society.
Whilst the Thai PM assured citizens that his government is reliable, his own safety remained on hold as earlier on the day his motorcade was attacked by red-shirted protesters outside the Interior Ministry. Local media reports said he was slightly injured in the riot, but the government denied it.
He said he's ready to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives if only the moves will bring peace to the country. "My own position is not important," said Abhisit.
The red-shirted protesters wanted Abhisit to step down and declared their loyalty to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former premier ousted by a military coup on Sept. 19, 2006 and in exile ever since, who urged his supporters on Sunday evening to join the rally at Government House to topple the Abhisit government.
In the latest TV speech, the fifth for the embattled Thai PM since Sunday morning, Abhisit said the aim of the protests by the red-shirted people were beyond "democracy" as the protesters claimed they wanted to achieve.
"Those ill-intentioned people will be disappointed," said Abhisit.
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2009)
