The Thai government decided today to keep in force a state of emergency in Bangkok and in three neighboring provinces, while far up into three others, said government spokesman.

The Thai government maintains a state of emergency in Bangkok

This decision is part of the Government's plans of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, gradually lifting the state of emergency declared on April 7, after thousands of demonstrators occupy the commercial heart of the capital.

"The government extended the measure in Bangkok and adjacent provinces to the metropolitan area parallel to the risk of instability," the spokesman said Panitan Wattanayagorn.

The measure, which allows the Army to get streets and ban public meetings, was adopted after authorities strengthened security in Bangkok following the explosion of several devices last week, causing three casualties.

The authorities have deployed armed soldiers in subway stations and shopping malls in the capital.

Thailand is undergoing a deep political crisis since the military coup that deposed in 2006 by then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Between March and May this year, 91 people were killed and 1,800 injured in Bangkok protests during the so-called "red shirts" to pressure the government to call early elections.

The red shirts are active in the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, group led by allies of Shinawatra, who was exiled for more than two years.

The Government declared a state of emergency on April 7 to contain the protests as the "redshirts" occupied the commercial heart of the capital.


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